Ophthalmology Overview: How Chronic Pain Impacts the Cornea, Dry Eye Disease in Postmenopausal Women, and More

Highlighting the latest ophthalmology-related news reported across MJH Life Sciences^™.

Evaluating the Link Between Chronic Pain and Corneal Sensitivity

Although eye conditions are typically responsible for altering corneal sensitivity, research presented at the ARVO 2021 virtual annual meeting indicated that chronic pain syndromes involving the trigeminal system, as well as depression and worse quality of life, may also cause greater corneal sensitivity in patients.

Reported by Ophthalmology Times^®, researchers of the cross-sectional study assessed 568 veterans of South Florida with one or more chronic pain conditions. Patients who had trigeminal pain (n = 122) were compared with patients who had pain conditions that did not localize to the trigeminal system (eg, back pain, knee pain; n = 446) for differences in the corneal mechanical detection threshold.

Based on findings, patients of the trigeminal pain group exhibited significantly lower mean corneal mechanical detection threshold (ie, higher sensitivity) than the non-trigeminal pain group. In addition to pain phenotypes, factors that may also influence corneal sensitivity included higher depression score, Black race, dyslipidemia, and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) use.

Eye Drop Formulation Found to Reduce DED Burden in Postmenopausal Women

As reported by Ophthalmology Times^®, a topical formulation of estradiol drops for the treatment of dry eye disease (DED) was found to reduce signs and symptoms of DED in postmenopausal women for at least 3 months.

With sex hormone involvement suggested to play a central role in the pathogenesis of DED, postmenopausal women have been associated with an elevated incidence. The formulation, called RP101, contained 17-beta-estradiol as the active ingredient and a sterile isotonic thermogelling solution as the drug delivery system, and was randomly administered in 3 different dosages to postmenopausal female patients involved in the controlled, parallel-group study. The control group was given solely the isotonic thermogelling solution.

In evaluating the safety and optimal dosing of RP101, patients given the highest dosage of the formulation were significantly associated with the greatest reductions in staining of the inferior cornea, compared with the control group (P = .0463). The formulation was indicated to be well tolerated, with patients of all 4 treatment arms showing a decrease in symptoms of DED.

Positive Topline Results Reported in Phase 3 Trial of Investigational Therapy for IOP

Findings of a phase 3 trial this week found that netarsudil ophthalmic solution 0.02% (Rhopressa) met its primary endpoint in achieving significantly reduced intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients after 4 weeks compared with treatment of ripasudil hydrochloride hydrate ophthalmic solution 0.4% (Rhokiinsa).

Reported by Ophthalmology Times^®, 245 patients with a baseline mean diurnal IOP of 20.5 and 20.8 mmHg in the netarsudil 0.02% and ripasudil 0.4% arms, respectively, were randomized to receive each treatment, which are both intended to treat open-angle glaucoma and elevated IOP.

At 4 weeks, netarsudil 0.02% was found to reduce mean diurnal IOP by 4.7 mmHg (22.6%) from baseline compared with 3.0 mmHg (14.3%) with ripasudil 0.4% (P < .0001). Both therapies were shown to be well-tolerated, with conjunctival hyperemia serving as the most common treatment-related adverse event.