A new Eyedrop has shown timely success in providing protective compounds where most are needed in Eye, increasing hopes for less invasive treatment of serious vision conditions.
Research, led by RMIT University, focuses on retinal diseases, especially the degeneration of age -related macular (AMD). AMD damages the retina, namely the macula, which can cause blindness and affect hundreds of millions of people worldwide.
The main risk factors for AMD are age, family history, nutrition, high blood pressure, obesity, smoking and other lifestyle options.
In modern times, we have exposed to excess blue light light from devices such as mobile phones, computer screens and TVs, which can also contribute to eye damage over time.
The group explored the tradition of lutein, a protective antioxidant union found in GAC fruit, at the back of the eye to support the health of the retina and possibly slow down or prevent damage.
In pre-Clinical studies of mice conducted in collaboration with the Center for Eye Research Australia (Cera), the press reached the retina at the back of the eye-herein only accessible through injections-and maintained the drastic union constant for months at room temperature.
The group’s cell culture study showed that lutein has delivered using their newly formed protected retina cells from stress and lesions associated with vision loss.
Dr. Dao Nguyen, who co-co-co-consisted-in-research when he was in Rmit, said the wording could pave the way for more patients-friendly treatments.
“Frequent eye injections are uncomfortable and can be unpleasant to patients. If the wording works, people could use Eyedrop as a precautionary measure that could reduce the risk of developing slow -stage diseases and the need for injections,” said Nguyen, who is now Nguyen.
“The Eyedrop formula is designed to deal with the early stages of age -related macular degeneration in a way that is much easier to use, but further research and clinical trials will be needed before it can reach people.”
The eyes will not replace the injections, said Nguyen.
The leader of the Associate Professor Tien Huynh from the RMIT School of Sciences said the delivery platform could be adapted to convey different associations, not just the one tested in this study.
“This is a technology with wide potential. We have shown that it can protect the fragile ingredients and safely transport them to the back of the eye, which has long been an obstacle to treatments,” Huynh said.
Professor Charlotte Conn and Dr. Sampa Sarkar, head of researchers on the innovative method of delivery, said that nanotechnology that has been thrown into RMIT is called cubosomes to deliver medicines showed an early promise of this and a number of other drug delivery applications.
Our carriers Cubosome act as tiny shields, keeping the compound safe and releasing it in a controlled manner as soon as it is found in the eye. ”
Professor Charlotte Conn, Rmit School of Science
Associate Professor Chi Luu, a clinical scientist at Cera and the University of Melbourne, said the findings were encouraging.
“This type of approach could convert how we manage the macular degeneration of age -related. If future tests confirm the safety and efficacy of the delivery platform, the eyes could be used one day to treat early stages of
Researchers note that the project is still at an early stage: the results come from cell and animal studies and the experiments did not consider whether the wording improved the effects of the disease, as the mice did not have AMD or other retinal conditions.
The next step is to work with industry clinics and partners to further test the press and move it to human tests.
The research, “optimization of Lutein compositions for targeted ophthalmic drugs: in vitro and in vivo Insights”, is published in the magazine evaluated by peer Applied ACS materials and interfaces (DOI: 10.1021/ACSAMI.5C14464).
Other co-authors in the study were Dr. Thilini Thrimawithana and Professor Terrence Piva.
A recent review of the bibliography by the team, led by scholar Rmit Christopher Olowosoke, highlights the promise of herbal compounds, including lutein, to protect eye health.
Research, “non -invasive pharmacological developments in early treatment retinopathy: Pharmacological reports (DOI: 10.1007/S43440-025-00778-7).
Source:
Magazine report:
Nguyen, D., et al. (2025). Lutein formations optimization for targeted eye drug supply: in vitro and in vivo ideas. Applied ACS materials and interfaces. Doi.org/10.1021/acsami.5C14464
