Punctal Plug Delivery Systems

Dr. Marlene Moster discusses the use of punctal plugs for treating glaucoma. Although there are no FDA-approved drug delivery systems for glaucoma, 2 companies are performing clinical trials to assess the feasibility of this delivery route. Mati Therapeutics is evaluating a latanoprost-eluting punctal plug that is comfortable, but visible to the patient and doctor. Meanwhile, Ocular Therapeutix is evaluating a intracanalicular travoprost depot that dissolves over time, is visible via fluorescence at the slit-lamp to the doctor, but is invisible to the patient. Phase 2 prospective studies to determine both the efficacy and patient tolerability of these new drug delivery systems are ongoing.