Newswise — Baltimore, Maryland – A generic glaucoma drug has been shown to halt the progression of myopia (nearsightedness), potentially offering rapid approval for a new treatment of an incurable condition. The research is being presented at the 2017 Annual Meeting of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) this week in Baltimore, Md.
Scientists induced myopia in guinea pig eyes then treated the eyes with artificial tears or topical latanoprost, a drug that is commonly used to treat glaucoma. Lantanoprost significantly slowed myopia progression over three months.
Myopia is expected to affect half of the world’s population by 2050. Though correctable through glasses, it is known to lead to blinding conditions including cataracts, glaucoma and retinal detachments. Getting regulatory approval to use existing drugs for new conditions is often years faster than creating a new drug.
Abstract title: Effect of topical latanoprost on myopia progression in guinea pigs Presentation s/end time: Thursday, May 11, 2017, 8:30 – 10:15am Location: Exhibit/Poster Hall Abstract number: 5469 - B0626
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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All abstracts accepted for presentation at the ARVO Annual Meeting represent previously unpublished data and conclusions.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.
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