Topical Dexamethasone - Cyclodextrin Microparticle Eye Drops for Diabetic Macular Edema

Topical Dexamethasone - Cyclodextrin Microparticle Eye Drops for Diabetic Macular Edema

The research group has developed new ocular drug delivery technology based on cyclodextrin nanoparticles (NP). The investigators plan to develop and test this technology to help treat diabetic macular edema (DME).

An important step in research was the invention of cyclodextrin nanoparticles, which has just received a US patent. The investigators pre-clinical and clinical work has demonstrated the investigators eye drop suspension with cyclodextrin nano-particles to be superior to conventional eye drops. They increase drug absorbance into the eye and decrease systematic distribution of the drug, hence reducing side effects. Cyclodextrin nanoparticle eye drops deliver drugs to the posterior part of the eye, thus solving one of the biggest obstacles in ocular pharmacology.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Type 2 diabetes mellitus
• Pseudophakic in study eye, i.e. with IOL (intra ocular lens) after cataract surgery
• Diabetic macular edema with central macular thickness over 300 µm on OCT in study eye. If both eyes have DME, then the treatment will be applied to the eye with thicker central macula on OCT.
• Age 18 years or older

Exclusion Criteria:

• Glaucoma or use of any glaucoma medication
• Known steroid IOP response
• Any infectious eye disease
• Treatment for DME within 6 months, such as laser treatment, intravitreal or subtenon injections of steroids, intravitreal injections of anti vascular endothelelial growth factor medication.
• Any eye surgery within 3 months or other eye conditions e.g. corneal disorders, ocular hypotony and retinal detachments.
• Crystalline lens present in study eye
• Known allergy to cyclodextrins, dexamethasone, ranibizumab or any of the components of the study medications