Advance in drug therapy and delivery for cataract treatment

Bryanna J Lee ¹, Natalie A Afshari

Affiliation

• ¹Shiley Eye Institute, Viterbi Family Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Diego, California, USA.

Abstract

Purpose of review: Cataract is one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide and surgery is the only available treatment. Pharmacological therapy has emerged as a potential approach to combat the global shortage of surgery due to a lack of access and resources. This review summarizes recent findings in pharmacological treatment and delivery, focusing on drugs that target oxidative stress and the aggregation of crystallins.

Recent findings: Antioxidants and oxysterols have been shown to improve or reverse lens opacity in cataract models. N-acetylcysteine amide and N-acetylcarnosine are two compounds that have increased bioavailability over their precursors, alleviating the challenges that have come with topical administration. Studies have shown promising results, with topical N-acetylcarnosine clinically decreasing lens opacity. Furthermore, lanosterol, and more recently 5-cholesten-3b,25-diol (VP1-001), have been reported to combat the aggregation of crystallins in vivo and ex vivo . Delivery has improved with the use of nanotechnology, but further research is needed to solidify these compounds' therapeutic effects on cataracts and improve delivery methods to the lens.

Summary: Although further research in drug dosage, delivery, and mechanisms will need to be conducted, pharmacologic therapies have provided new strategies and treatments for the reversal of cataracts.

Lee, B. J., & Afshari, N. A. (2023). Advances in drug therapy and delivery for cataract treatment. Current opinion in ophthalmology, 34(1), 3–8. https://doi.org/10.1097/ICU.0000000000000910

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36484206/

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