Page 34 - July-August 2020

UWS GETS PATENT FOR NEW single-vision contacts.

AK RESEARCH about three years. Later, the
The kids were followed for
findings of the study revealed that
Researchers at the University way of protecting users against the bifocal contacts with a powerful
of West Scotland (UWS) have disease. corrective prescription slowed the
been granted a patent for a novel progression of nearsightedness
compound that could help to prevent Professor Fiona Henriquez, lead in youngsters by 43% compared
the sight-threatening eye condition researcher UWS, said: “Acanthamoeba to single-vision contacts. Also,
acanthamoeba keratitis (AK). is an incredibly strong organism and
once it gets inside the eye, and is high-powered bifocal contacts
According to Professor Fiona exposed to medicine, it’s able to form effectively slowed the progression
Henriquez and Yvonne Cunningham, a hard, resistant shell, repelling attack of nearsightedness, while medium-
the UWS has developed the novel from medication - it can even resist powered bifocal contacts and single-
compound after 13 years of ground- strong disinfectants.” focus lenses did not.
breaking research. The compound is “The higher the reading portion
expected to prevent the development “This pioneering research has of the contact lens, the better
of the condition, for which treatments already impacted other countries control you get, the more slow
currently available are not so effective. including Spain, Germany and Italy
through patient groups and research the progression,” said Blink study
Acanthamoeba keratitis collaborations with prestigious chair Jeffrey Walline, who is also
(AK) is caused by cyst-forming universities including University of the associate dean for research at
microorganism, Acanthamoeba, which Sassari, University of Strathclyde. Ohio State University’s College of
invades the cornea of the eye and Alongside Professor Henriquez and Optometry, in Columbus.
is commonly found in lakes, oceans UWS academics Roderick Williams, Shaped like a bullseye, the soft
and rivers, as well as domestic tap Scott Thomson and Ronnie Mooney,
water, swimming pools and hot tubs. it has been a career highlight to help multifocal contact lenses have two
Usually it is harmless for humans, deliver this revolutionary research basic portions for focusing light.
but if it comes into contact with the which will transform the eye-care The center part of the lens corrects
eye it can cause great havoc. AK can market worldwide. UWS has found nearsightedness so that distance
cause excruciating pain, blindness, the a viable treatment for a once vision is clear, focusing light directly
requirement of corneal transplants or untreatable disease,” said Sathish on the retina. The outer edge of the
removal of the eye if it is not brought Srinivasan, visiting Professor and NHS lens adds focusing power to bring
under control. Ayrshire & Arran corneal surgeon, who the peripheral light rays into focus
is also part of the team. in front of the retina. Animal studies
The UWS has been granted a show that bringing light to focus in
patent to protect the novel compound, UWS plans to create a spin-out front of the retina cues the eye to
with a view to it being added during company to roll out the safe new slow growth. The higher the power
the manufacturing stages to contact additive to contact lens and eye care added, the further in front of the
lens solution as a simple but effective solutions soon. retina it focuses peripheral light.
Prior research has indicated that this
BIFOCAL CLS CAN SLOW DOWN combination appears to trick the eye
into slowing its growth.
MYOPIA “It is especially good news to
know that children as young as 7
The progression of myopia in The Bifocal Lenses In Nearsighted achieved optimal visual acuity and
kids can be slowed down if they use Kids (BLINK) Study funded by the got used to wearing multifocal lenses
soft bifocal contact lenses, as per a National Eye Institute (NEI) a part much the way they would a single
National Institutes of Health (NIH)- of the NIH, involved around 287 vision contact lens. It’s not a problem
funded clinical trial. myopic children, ages 7 to 11 years. to fit younger kids in contact lenses.
If myopia or nearsightedness is These kids from Ohio and Texas were It’s a safe practice,” said Walline.
not controlled well, it can increase randomly assigned to wear either The findings were published in
the risk of cataracts, glaucoma and high-powered bifocal contacts, the Journal of the American Medical
retinal detachment later in life. medium-powered bifocal contacts or Association (JAMA).

| JULY-AUG 2020 | 30 CONTACT LENS NEWS