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89 EW INTERNATIONAL February 2015 sustained release of latanoprost in rabbit and monkey eyes. The study, titled "Sustained drug release in nanomedicine: A long act- ing nanocarrier based formulation for glaucoma," and published in ACS Nano in January 2012, reported a long-term sustained delivery of latanoprost for up to 120 days was achieved with the nanoliposomal formulation. Moreover, the IOP lowering after a single injection was comparable to the animals in the control group that received daily topical latanoprost eye drops. "The results of the subsequent human trial provided strong vali- dation of the results reported in the animal studies," Prof. Wong said. A promising alternative to glaucoma eye drops In current practice, glaucoma patients must use eye drops on a daily basis. "Liposomal latanoprost works by providing around-the-clock action for several months, so there is no need to use daily drops," Prof. Wong said. "With such a promising alterna- tive to eye drop therapy for glau- coma, some idea of acceptance of a new method of drug delivery would need to be verified if acceptable to patients for the concept to take on the worldwide market," she added. A questionnaire-based survey on 151 glaucoma patients revealed that 74% were willing to accept an alternative form of glaucoma treat- ment when asked about a hypothet- ical subconjunctival injection every third month replacing their daily eye drop therapy. This survey study, titled "Patient acceptance and attitude toward an alternative method of subconjuncti- val injection for the medical treat- ment of glaucoma," and published in the Journal of Glaucoma in March 2013, also revealed that a large pro- portion of patients who were willing to trade their eye drops for the injec- tion option admitted to non-adher- ence to topical medication, and were medicating more frequently. The findings from this ques- tionnaire-based study, according to Prof. Wong, are informative when developing patient-acceptable drug delivery regimens. Contact information Wong: tina.wong.t.l@snec.com.sg Currently, a larger multicenter trial is being prepared for com- mencement next year by Peregrine Ophthalmic (Singapore), the spin- off company to which liposomal latanoprost has been licensed. EW Editors' note: Prof. Wong is the co-lead scientist, co-inventor, and patent holder of the liposomal latanoprost technology. She has financial interests with Peregrine Ophthalmic. Christopher J. Rapuano, MD Chief, Cornea Service 840 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107 www.willseye.org Give us your most complex cases, and we'll give you our best. For physicians, experience matters. At Wills Eye, more ophthalmologists see more patients than anywhere else in the nation. We provide excellence in every subspecialty, delivering a level of expertise and support that is totally focused on obtaining the best possible outcomes. Our approach to healthcare is based on our passionate determination to search for innovative therapies and improved procedures. We are never satisfied. To refer a patient, please call 1-877-289- 4557 EyeWorld-Feb2015-Rapuano-fnl_EyeNet_Feb2015-issue 1/9/15 1:17 PM Page 1

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