New Drug Delivery Device Treats Glaucoma from Within the Eye

A new drug delivery system could be a crucial development in the fight against glaucoma. The disease currently affects more than 60 million people around the world, making it the second-leading cause of blindness, behind cataracts. That number is expected to increase to 76 million by 2020 and even further to nearly 112 million by 2040, according to a study published by the American Academy of Opthalmology.

Glaucoma is a group of diseases that cause damage to the optic nerve. If the disease is caught early and treated effectively, a patient can avoid such deleterious effects as vision loss or complete blindness. However, the most common way to treat glaucoma requires a strict regiment of medicated eye drops. This may be difficult for many patients to diligently adhere to, leaving room for the disease to progress into its degenerative stages.

Cross-section of biodegradable film. Image credit: UCSF

Read more at article source: https://futurism.com/device-treats-illness-inside-eye/