Systemic 7-methylxanthine in retarding axial eye growth and myopia progression: a 36-month pilot study

The adenosine antagonist 7-methylxanthine (7-mx) works against myopia in animal models. In a clinical trial, 68 myopic children (mean age 11.3 years) received either placebo or 7-mx tablets for 12 months. All participants subsequently received 7-mx for another 12 months, after which treatment was stopped. Axial length was measured with Zeiss IOL-Master and cycloplegic refraction with Nikon Retinomax at −6, 0, 12, 24, and 36 months. Axial growth was reduced among children treated with 7-mx for 24 months compared with those only treated for the last 12 months. Myopia progression and axial eye growth slowed down in periods with 7-mx treatment, but when the treatment was stopped, both myopia progression and axial eye growth continued with invariable speed. The results indicate that 7-mx reduces eye elongation and myopia progression in childhood myopia. The treatment is safe and without side effects and may be continued until 18–20 years of age when myopia progression normally stops

A microdialysis study of topically applied diclofenac to healthy humans: Passive versus iontophoretic delivery

AbstractTopical application of NSAIDs is an alternative route to systemic administration when a local anti-inflammatory effect of the underlying tissue is a treatment option. The aim of the present microdialysis study was to assess and compare plasma and tissue levels of diclofenac when topically applied with or without iontophoresis in healthy adults. Fourteen healthy adults (26±9.4 years) were randomized to diclofenac applied by iontophoresis, or by a gel, in a crossover design. Diclofenac concentrations were measured in plasma and in microdialysis perfusates from the underlying tissues. Iontophoretic application resulted in the highest plasma concentration of 3.4±0.5ng/ml (SEM given) compared to 0.4ng/ml (at the detection limit) with gel, whereas no differences were observed between tissue concentrations for the two application methods, both being very low, below or around the detection limit. Iontophoresis caused skin reactions in 25% of the participants. Iontophoresis of diclofenac as compared to traditional topical application was not superior in order to increase the NSAID concentration locally and appears to have a higher frequency of skin reactions