Therapeutic Contact Lenses: A Tool to Restore Eye Health

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) statistics, over 2 billion people suffer from vision impairment. Age-related macular degeneration, childhood blindness, cataract, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and uncorrected refractive errors are some of the leading causes of vision impairment. Most of these issues can be resolved with timely diagnosis and the right treatments, which can prevent blindness. In recent years, the discipline of ophthalmology and eye care has witnessed rapid advancements, thanks to the advances in technology. Therapeutic contact lenses have emerged as an ideal alternative to eye drops or other invasive procedures. These specialized lenses are designed for vision correction, providing therapeutic benefits to the eyes. The substances used in therapeutic contact lenses encourage medicine delivery, relieve pain, boost vision, prevent dry eyes, and increase oxygen permeability. Some therapeutic lenses involve drug eluting particles or coatings that release medication gradually to the eyes and thus provide focused treatment for particular eye disorders. For instance, in 2022, Johnson & Johnson Vision introduced Abiliti overnight contact lenses for myopia management from 4D to 6D. These orthokeratology lenses are designed to reduce refractive error and thus eliminate the patients’ need for glasses or contacts during the day.

Although normal contact lenses and therapeutic contact lenses can improve eyesight, however the later require specialized care and serve a particular purpose. For example, therapeutic contact lenses need to be customized as per the requirements of the customer when used for the treatment of corneal abnormalities and post-surgical recuperation. Besides, these lenses need to be fitted by eye care providers as they require to be worn for an extended period of time. Therapeutic contact lenses are generally worn after injury, disease, or surgery to enhance the ability of corneal epithelium to heal. When compared to eye drop formulations, therapeutic contact lenses may be suitable for controlled and sustained drug delivery.

Innovation in Therapeutic Contact Lenses

Drug-Eluting Contact Lenses:

These lenses consist of coatings or microscopic implanted drug-releasing particles that address the issues related to vision. These lenses are designed to administer ophthalmic pharmaceuticals in a targeted and regulated manner over the eye surface. For instance, FDA recently gave approval to the drug-eluting contact lens containing an antihistamine for people with allergic eye itch. The daily disposable etafilcon A drug-eluting contact lens is the world’s first drug eluting contact lens, which have been approved for use in Japan and Canada. The contact lens can also be used for correcting refractive error in patient with or without lens implants.

Here are a few applications of contact lenses using drug eluting contact lenses:

1.????Treatment for Glaucoma

An eye disorder caused by elevated intraocular pressure (IOP), glaucoma can cause serious damage to the eyes and impair vision if not treated early. Therapeutic contact lenses created for glaucoma administers prostaglandin analogues straight to the eye surface, which reduces the need for routine eye drop administration as the lens gradually releases the drug. Recently, MediPrint Ophthalmics,?an emerging San Diego-based clinical stage eye care pharmaceutical company introduced drug-eluting contact lenses that reduces intraocular pressure in patients with glaucoma and treat ocular hypertension. The SIGHT-2 dosage-finding intended for dose optimization is preceded by the successful completion of the company’s SIGHT-1 study that validated implementation of contact lenses for treating human subjects.

2.????Dry Eye Treatment

Around the world, dry eye disorder affects tens of millions. In US alone, the disease affects around 16 million people. Dry eye disease occurs when you do not have enough tears or when your tears evaporate too quickly. The condition affects the three layers of tear film that cover and protect eyes. Some of the disruptions caused by dry eyes include watering, burning, itching, watering, or blurred vision. Some drug-eluting contact lenses are designed to distribute lubricants to the ocular surface, which stimulate tears and keep the eyes moisturized. Recently, a team of scientists at Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation (TIBI) has introduced a contact lens prototype to treat dry eyes. The contact lens includes microchannels that facilitate tear flow movement and enhance tear flow to prevent dry eyes.

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