Tear Duct Implant Reduces Pain and Inflammation

A new tear duct implant developed to treat inflammation and pain following cataract surgery could be a reliable alternative to medicated eye drops, according to a new study.

Researchers at Texan Eye (Austin, TX, USA) conducted a study to evaluate the dexamethasone punctum plug, an implant that automatically delivers the correct amount of postoperative medication in patients; after 30 days, the plug softens, liquefies and clears through the tear duct. Punctum plugs designed to deliver sustained-release dexamethasone were tested in 60 participants, who were randomly split into two groups. One group of 30 patients receiving a placebo punctum plug, and the other group received a dexamethasone-medicated punctum plug.

At various points throughout the 30 days following cataract surgery the researchers assessed the number of patients with ocular inflammation—measured by the presence of anterior chamber cells in the treated eye—and pain. The researchers concluded that when compared to a placebo, the dexamethasone punctum plug provides sustained reductions of inflammation and pain for up to one month following cataract surgery. The study was presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), held during October 2014 in New Orleans (LA, USA).

“Most people who have cataract surgery are older and may have a difficult time adhering to a postoperative eye drop regimen for various reasons,” said lead author ophthalmologist Thomas Walters, MD. “Getting eye drops onto the eye can be difficult for anybody, especially those who might have trouble holding the bottle or targeting the drops onto the eye. The punctum plug eliminates those variables and will make recovering from surgery far easier for cataract patients.”

The dexamethasone punctum plug is under development by Ocular Therapeutix (Bedford, MA, USA), and is entering phase 3 trials. It is inserted noninvasively through the punctum, residing within the canaliculus, delivering a four week tapered release of corticosteroid to the ocular surface. The plug also contains a visualization aid for retention monitoring throughout the treatment period. After therapy is complete, the implant resorbs and exits the nasolacrimal system without need for removal by the physician.

Related Links:
Texan Eye
Ocular Therapeutix