Use of Topical Cannabinomimetic Palmitoylethanolamide in Ocular Surface Disease Associated with Antiglaucoma Medications.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

Chronic use of topical hypotensive therapies in glaucoma patients leads to chronic inflammation of the ocular surface, which decreases the success rate of long-term glaucoma management. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of topical palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) (Defluxa©), a well-known anti-inflammatory and analgesic agent, in suppressing the ocular surface inflammation associated with the use of hypotensive eye drops.

METHODS:

In a pilot clinical trial, we enrolled 15 glaucomatous patients who received topical PEA (Defluxa) in addition to the current antiglaucoma drugs, while 15 glaucomatous patients did not receive any additional treatment. At 3 different time points (day 0, 15, and 30), signs of ocular surface involvement, adverse events, visual acuity, and intraocular pressure were assessed.

RESULTS:

Topical PEA (Defluxa) was effective in increasing the Schirmer test (P < 0.05) and the tear film breakup time (T-BUT) (P < 0.0001), and improving the conjunctival hyperemia (P < 0.0001) by day 30, compared to baseline. Compared to control, by day 15, the conjunctival hyperemia score was significantly decreased in the PEA (Defluxa) group (P < 0.01), while the T-BUT and the Schirmer Test achieved a significant improvement by day 30 (P < 0.05; P < 0.01).

DISCUSSION:

Our data suggests that topical PEA (Defluxa) is a safe, effective, and generally well-tolerated treatment to prevent or suppress ocular surface inflammation attributable to chronic glaucoma treatment.

• Authors: Antonio Di Zazzo, Gloria Roberti, Alireza Mashaghi, Tulio Batista Abud, Daniela Pavese, Stefano Bonini
• Journal: Journal of ocular pharmacology and therapeutics : the official journal of the Association for Ocular Pharmacology and Therapeutics (J Ocul Pharmacol Ther) Vol. 33 Issue 9 Pg. 670-677 (11 2017) ISSN: 1557-7732 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 29045169 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Amides
• Analgesics
• Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
• Antihypertensive Agents
• Ethanolamines
• Ophthalmic Solutions
• Palmitic Acids
• palmidrol

Topics

• Administration, Ophthalmic
• Aged
• Amides
• Analgesics (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Antihypertensive Agents (adverse effects)
• Conjunctival Diseases (chemically induced, drug therapy, metabolism)
• Ethanolamines (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Female
• Glaucoma (drug therapy)
• Humans
• Hyperemia (chemically induced, drug therapy, metabolism)
• Intraocular Pressure (drug effects)
• Male
• Ophthalmic Solutions
• Palmitic Acids (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Prospective Studies
• Single-Blind Method
• Tears (metabolism)
• Visual Acuity (drug effects)