Scientists from University College London have developed a drug that is effective in the treatment of microbial keratitis, a rare infectious disease of the cornea. The results of the study were as follows: published on PubMed.
Bacterial keratitis is an acute inflammation of the cornea of the eye. The disease causes pain, swelling, and photophobia and can lead to decreased visual acuity and blindness. The disease develops due to the presence of pathogenic microflora on the corneal surface and violation of the integrity of the epithelial layer. People who frequently wear contact lenses have a high risk of developing bacterial keratitis.
Researchers developed low concentration polyhexanide (PHMB 0.02%), a drug first used in the 1990s. New technologies make it possible to eliminate errors in the formulation, leading to negative health consequences and poor quality of treatment.
A study involving healthy volunteers showed that the drug is safe to use. Its effectiveness has also been proven; During a clinical trial, improvements occurred in 110 of 127 patients with bacterial keratitis.
Scientists hope that the drug will be accepted by the scientific community and reduce the number of serious consequences of bacterial keratitis requiring surgical treatment.
It was before discovered A gene responsible for the presence of a serious eye disease.