UCL Research Could Signal End For Eye Injections

Sight-threatening diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), are currently treated through the administration of drugs via eye injections. These injections are not only difficult to administer and very expensive, but their frequency also makes the treatment high in risk regarding potential infection and bleeding. However, research conducted by University College London (UCL) scientists has sparked hopes for injection-free treatment, thanks to drug delivery via eye drops.

This breakthrough has the potential to bring tremendous relief for millions of people around the world. The findings are also very significant in light of constantly growing patient numbers and the associated increase in demand for eye injections.

Effective drug delivery to the retina has been a massive challenge for ophthalmic drug developers because of the anatomical barriers. Prior to the success of the UCL team, it was believed that drugs for AMD treatment – for example Avastin and Lucentis – cannot be administered through eye drops as their molecules are too big.

However, the UCL scientists managed to create formulations of minuscule nanoparticles containing Avastin. In experiments with animals, they successfully delivered significant concentrations to the back of the eye.

Professor Francesca Cordeiro, lead author of the report published in the nanotechnology journal Small, pointed out that mirroring this success in human models would be nothing short of a “magic bullet.” It would bring immense relief to millions of people suffering from severe eye disorders. These patients are often forced to undergo eye injections on a monthly basis for up to 24 months in a row. If eye drops could deliver their drugs effectively, their relief would be too great for words, Cordeiro added.