Implant May Eliminate Need for Eye Drops After Cataract Surgery

Newswise — Denver, Colo. – Researchers have developed a drug-releasing implant that controls pain and inflammation, eliminating the need for eye drops following cataract surgery. The research is being presented at the 2015 Annual Meeting of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) this week in Denver, Colo.

After cataract surgery, patients are prescribed eye drops – to be taken four times a day for four weeks. Compliance is low, resulting in ocular pain and additional inflammation. The new implants are installed at the end of cataract surgery, providing the prescribed care over four weeks without any additional action required by the patient.

Cataract is when the lens, the clear central part of the eye, begins to cloud. It is the most common cause of blindness worldwide, but is routinely treated by surgery.

Abstract Title: Preclinical Evaluation of ENV905 (Difluprednate) Ophthalmic Implant: A Clinical Candidate for the Treatment of Pain and Inflammation Associated with Ocular SurgeryPresentation Start/End Time: Thursday, May 7, 12 – 1:45pm Location: Exhibit HallAbstract Number: 5897 – A0068

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The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) is the largest eye and vision research organization in the world. Members include nearly 12,000 eye and vision researchers from over 75 countries. ARVO advances research worldwide into understanding the visual system and preventing, treating and curing its disorders.

All abstracts accepted for presentation at the ARVO Annual Meeting represent previously unpublished data and conclusions. This research may be proprietary or may have been submitted for journal publication. Embargo policy: Journalists must seek approval from the presenter(s) before reporting data from paper or poster presentations. Press releases or stories on information presented at the ARVO Annual Meeting may not be released or published until the conclusion of the presentation.