Il FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has recently approved a new prototype of contact lenses developed by Johnson & Johnson, the historic pharmaceutical company recently made headlines for its single-dose anti Covid vaccine.
The results of the clinical trial were published in the journal Cornea.
Double action lenses
These innovative lenses are not only capable of correcting vision, they also succeed in administer drugs. Their main goal is to treat itchy eyes caused by allergies. By taking advantage of the lenses, patients will no longer be forced to use eye drops or other solutions.
Contact lenses would work on their own, with no need to add anything else, relieving symptoms and resolving the situation. A quick and painless remedy for allergy.
The active ingredient used
The Jhonson & Jhonson project is named after Acuvue Theravision, and administers the active ingredient Ketotifen. Essentially, these contact lenses are "loaded" with 19 micrograms of antihistamine.
Once the lenses are worn, the drug, integrated into their structure, is slowly released into the body through the mucous membranes of the eye. It starts acting on itchy eyes in minutes, and is able to offer relief for up to 12 hours.
Like any daily contact lens, this version is also intended to be disposed of after one day of use.
Allergic ocular itching in contact lens wearers may soon become a thing of the past thanks to the FDA's decision to approve our Acuvue Theravision. These new lenses can help people keep their contact lenses longer, as they correct vision and relieve any allergy-related discomfort, without the need for eye drops or other remedies.
Brian Pal, Director of Clinical Science, Johnson & Johnson Vision Care
The project, approved by the FDA, is ready to move on to the next phase. The company expects to start marketing in the coming months: perhaps in time before the grass pollen, which are unleashed between April and June.
