Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the world, second only to cataracts. Standard treatment includes the use of eye drops to relieve the pressure build-up that occurs inside of the eye. However, the drops have their drawbacks. Within minutes after adding them, tears wash away the medication, making it difficult for it to reach the problem area. By some estimates, only 5% of the drugs actually reach the target tissue, the cornea. Also, as the medicine is absorbed into the bloodstream, it may cause side effects in other parts of the body.

Now, however, researchers believe that they may have a developed a more effective method for delivering medication to the eye, potentially aiding in the treatment of glaucoma as well as other eye disorders. They accomplished this through the use of vitamin E in contact lenses. The vitamin acts as a sort of barrier that modulates the release of drug into the eye. As a result, the drug stays in the tears for a longer duration than what is observed with eye drops. This, in turn, results in greater exposure to the medication.

The authors of the study referred to vitamin E as a sort of “nano-brick” structure through which drugs cannot pass. Instead, they must go around it, thus increasing the time that the tissue comes in contact with it. In fact, using animal models, the researchers found that the vitamin E lenses delivered drugs up to 100 times longer than regular commercially available lenses.

While further research needs to be done, the findings could result in lenses used to treat other conditions, including cataracts. The ideal situation would be for the development of continuous wear lenses that are kept in for periods of up to three months. Clinical trials could begin within 2 years.

Vitamin E is a recognized nutrient that has been shown to possess antioxidant properties that, in small amounts, are good for the eye. It is also known to block ultraviolet (UV) radiation, and its infusion into the lens does not result in any decrease in lens transparency.

Glaucoma is a disease whereby the optic nerve is damaged, and can lead to vision loss or blindness. It is often, but not always, associated with increased pressure buildup in the eye. It is sometimes referred to as the “sneak thief of sight,” because vision loss occurs gradually over a long period of time, making it harder to detect. Consequently, diagnosis of the disease often occurs when it is quite advanced, and the damage done to the eye cannot be repaired.

Glaucoma affects nearly 1 in every 200 people 50 years of age and younger, and 1 in 10 people over the age of 80. The best course of treatment is early detection through regular monitoring, followed by medical or surgical intervention.

For more information about glaucoma, speak with your eye care specialist, and have your eyes examined every year. For more information about glaucoma, visit the websites for the National Institutes of Health and the Glaucoma Research Foundation.