"A new device that slowly releases eye medication may one day be a promising option for the many glaucoma patients who struggle with administering their own daily prescription eye drops. New research shows a medicated silicone ring that rests on the surface of the eye reduced eye pressure in glaucoma patients by about  percent over six months. The first published research about this continuous glaucoma drug delivery technology was released online today in Ophthalmology http the journal of the American Academy of Ophthalmology http   Despite the availability of effective therapies glaucoma http remains a leading cause of blindness. Nearly  million people in the United States have the condition. It is often marked by elevated internal eye pressure called intraocular pressure. Medicated eye drops taken daily or twice daily can lower internal eye pressure to help prevent damage to the optic nerve. But studies show that many patients do not take glaucoma eye drops as directed due to factors such as forgetfulness or physical limitations like arthritis. Some studies show that half of patients stop taking their prescription glaucoma eye drops after a year leaving them vulnerable to vision loss. Researchers are tackling this challenge of medication adherence with new drug delivery methods. One technology involves a thin silicone ring suffused with medication that slowly releases over time. An ophthalmologist fits the patient with the ring. No surgery is required. The ring is designed to be replaced by an ophthalmologist every six months. This eliminates the need for glaucoma patients to regularly put in medicated eye drops themselves.  Ophthalmologists at  sites nationwide tested the ring in a phase  clinical trial on patients with glaucoma or ocular hypertension. In the study  patients received the topical ocular insert containing the glaucoma drug bimatoprost. They were also supplied artificial tears. The control group of  patients wore an insert treated with no drug but twice a day used . percent timolol drops the regulatory benchmark for glaucoma drugs. Eye pressure in the bimatoprost group fell . to . mmHg over six months in comparison to . to . mmHG for the timolol group. Overall eye pressure decreased in the group wearing the bimatoprost ring by about  percent from the initial measurements over six months.  Authors said the device was welltolerated and safe with a high retention rate of  percent for both groups at six months. The ring became dislodged in  patients but was replaced each time allowing therapy to continue. Some patients experienced itchiness and eye redness which is not unusual for patients taking glaucoma medication.  In making effective treatments easier for patients the hope is that we can reduce vision loss from glaucoma and possibly other diseases said study author James D. Brandt M.D. director of the UC Davis Medical Center Glaucoma Service. What is exciting is that this is just one of several sustainedrelease drug delivery methods designed to help patients who have trouble taking daily eye drops.  A phase  study of a larger group of patients is expected to begin later in . The authors noted the device could also be used for nonglaucoma medications with potential applications for dry eye allergies and inflammation. In addition the noninvasive nature of the device and its relatively large surface area make this technology a potential candidate for delivering multiple ocular drugs at once further reducing the burden of selfadministration on patients.  Sixmonth IOP Reduction with a Topical Bimatoprost Ocular Insert Results of a Phase  Randomized Controlled Study http Brandt et al. Ophthalmology article in press May . DOI .j.ophtha.... The results are also being presented today at the Ophthalmology Innovation Summit in New Orleans. The authors receive financial support from ForSight VISION manufacturer of the bimatoprost ring.  For more information on glaucoma visit the American Academy of Ophthalmologys EyeSmart public information website  http  About the American Academy of Ophthalmology The American Academy of Ophthalmology is the worlds largest membership association of eye physicians and surgeons. A global community of  ophthalmologists we are passionate about protecting sight and fighting preventable blindness. For more than  years we have been educators innovators and advocates for the public and our profession to ensure the highestquality medical and surgical eye care. Our EyeSmart program is a preeminent source of eye health information for the public and empowers people to preserve their vision. For more information visit  http About Ophthalmology  Ophthalmology the official journal of the American Academy of Ophthalmology publishes original peerreviewed clinicallyapplicable research. Topics include the results of clinical trials new diagnostic and surgical techniques treatment methods technology assessments translational science reviews and editorials. For more information visit  http  Patterns of Glaucoma Medication Adherence over Four Years of FollowUp http NewmanCasey et al. Ophthalmology .   Adherence and persistence with glaucoma therapy http Schwartz et al Survey of Ophthalmology Nov.  Video  httporiginqps.onstreammedia.comoriginmultivu_archivePRNAENRAAOBimatoprostOcularInsertDemo.mp  Photo  httpphotos.prnewswire.comprnh  Logo  httpphotos.prnewswire.comprnhLOGO  SOURCE American Academy of Ophthalmology Related Links http"