ORLANDO, Florida, June 16, 2007, /New Scientist/ -- Cerium
oxide nanoparticles often used in household cleaners may make delivery
of the active ingredient found in glaucoma medicine easier to penetrate
into the eye. A study published in New Scientist indicates
the substance does not cause eye irritation when tested on rats
and rabbits.
More study is necessary before any real claims could be made., however
a more effective way of delivering medicine would be welcomed.
"That is a real problem," said Robert Weale, PhD, an eye specialist
at King's College. "But clinical trials would be needed to establish
the side effects and make sure the cure isn't worse than the complaint."
Sudipta Seal and Sanku Mallik, researchers at the University of
Central Florida in Orlando, successfully combined these particles
with the compound which blocks the hCAII enzyme, believed to play
a central role in glaucoma. The researchers noted that at present
only a small amount of active chemicals manage to penetrate the
cornea, but the cerium oxide particles were exactly the right size
and shape to get through.
The enzyme is involved in producing fluid inside the eye, which
builds up and damages the optic nerve is left untreated. Millions
of people are affected by the eye disease worldwide.
By the age of 70, about one person in every 10 has some form of
glaucoma.
