Drops to Prevent Pink Eye

Scientists have recently unveiled eye drops for the most common form of pinkeye that work by capturing the infecting virus before it enters and inflames the eye. This research was published in the Journal of Medicinal Chemistry.

Pinkeye is also known as Epidemic Keratoconjunctivitis, or EKC, and is a highly contagious disease caused by the adenovirus family. Outbreaks are generally in places like day-care facilities, schools, and the workplace. Treatment is only currently available for the less common bacterial form of conjunctivitis.

Researchers in Sweden have discovered that the adenovirus responsible for pinkeye will enter the eye through receptor molecules, known as sialic acid, which are located on the surface of corneal cells. They constructed molecular structures called liposomes, with numerous resides from sialic acid. This prevents them from binding to the receptor molecules.

Laboratory experiments conducted showed that the compound, which was administered in the form of eye drops, was able to stop and inhibit the corneal cells from being infected by the adenovirus. No side effects were reported in the toxicity tests conducted. The risk of resistance to the virus is low, because the compound acts outside of human cells, according to researchers. In addition, the drops could help reduce and shorten the symptoms of pinkeye and can be used to reduce the risk of spreading in patients who already have the virus.

The eye drops will begin being tested in human trials early next year. The research study was funded in part by Adenovir Pharma AB, a Swedish company involved in developing the product.

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