A recent study has demonstrated that ophthalmic spray microdosing may help minimize the harmful effects of benzalkonium chloride (BAK), a common preservative in multiuse eye drops. The study, published earlier this month in the Journal of Ocular Pharmacology and Therapeutics, aimed to assess how cells from the ocular surface respond to latanoprost+BAK when delivered by microdose via the Optejet device (Eynovia) compared to traditional eye drops.
The researchers, led by Ayesha Sultan, MD, of Tufts University, reported that the conjunctival epithelial cells of study participants exposed to standard eye drop volumes of latanoprost with BAK showed significant cytotoxicity, loss of cell structure, and increased expression of inflammatory markers. In contrast, cells treated with the Optejet spray (delivering ∼8 µL) exhibited minimal cytotoxicity and showed responses similar to untreated controls and BAK-free latanoprost.1
Researchers concluded that Optejet's precision dosing could prevent the cytotoxic effects commonly associated with preservatives in eye drops, offering a potential solution to reduce ocular surface disorders in patients.
“The implication here is that preserved medications may not need to be reformulated to get many of the benefits of non-preserved products if delivered with the Optejet,” said Eyenovia CEO Michael Rowe in a press release. “We believe this creates potential opportunities for the Optejet to improve the administration of topical ocular therapeutics well beyond our own development pipeline.” GP
Reference
1. Sultan A, Harris DL, Lam P, Whitcomb J, Hamrah P. The Optejet technology minimizes preservative-mediated cytotoxicity of conjunctival epithelial cells treated with latanoprost in vitro. J Ocul Pharmacol Ther. Published online October 2, 2024. doi:10.1089/jop.2024.0085