The short answer to that question: not yet. There is a major problem in developing eye drops for AMD. One article states it as “Ophthalmic drugs have traditionally been administered topically, which in general provides therapeutic levels to the anterior (front) chamber of the eye but not to the posterior (back) segment. Therefore, topical administration of drugs has been largely infeasible for posterior segment diseases such as AMD and diabetic macular oedema. In contrast, intravitreous injection [for wet AMD] provides direct delivery to the posterior segment and allows therapeutic levels to be attained.”
Here are the studies so far (there is other research that I’m not including that is currently only being done with animals). Keep in mind that there are four phases to clinical trials. Click here for more information about clinical trials.
- PAN-90806/Panoptica: topical Lucentis
- clinicaltrials.gov Phase I completed
- “A phase I/II trial of the next generation of the formulation is set to begin in the first and second quarters of 2017.” Click here for an article.
- SF0166: topical small molecule inhibitor (unique drug)
- clinicaltrials.gov Completed Phase I/II
- click here for an article
- OHR-102 (originally “Squalamine”): squalamine has been shown to interrupt and reverse the process of angiogenesis; used in conjunction with Lucentis injections, goal is to reduce number of injections or eliminate them.
- clinical trials phase III not recruiting subjects, completed in mid-2019.
- click here for an article.
- Temporary suspension of clinical trial phase 2, not due to safety issues. Going forward with phase III. “Effectiveness: Unfortunately, Squalamine Eye Drops failed to decrease the average number of Lucentis injections required by the study participants. This was the primary goal of the clinical trial and the result was disappointing, both to researchers and to people with wet AMD, who were hoping that Squalamine Eye Drops could possibly reduce, or even eliminate, the need for eye injections.”
- CCP: cell-penetrating peptide (CPP) can be used to deliver therapeutically relevant doses of ranibizumab (Lucentis) and bevacizumab (Avastin)
- University of Birmingham, England
- click here for an article.
- “This is exciting for both patients and practitioners,” said Dr. Jayanth Sridhar, assistant professor of clinical ophthalmology at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute. “But this was a preliminary study in animal eyes only. Further research must be undertaken in human subjects first to establish safety, and then to establish effectiveness. Still, this study offers at least a glimmer of hope that in the coming years we may see a topical drop option emerge to supplement or replace injections.”
- OC-118: “solubilizing nanoparticle” technology
- Article Jan. 6. 2018 says “This technology, the company hopes, can boost the drug’s ability to reach the front and the back of the eye — something that previous drugs haven’t achieved unless delivered via needle to the eye.” It is currently being looked at to treat Diabetic Macular Edema (DME). I couldn’t find anything to confirm or deny that it could be used to treat AMD.
Updated & verified 1/8/2018