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Injectable drugs for strabismus may be wave of future, speaker predicts
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 Stephen P. Christiansen |
MIAMI — New drugs for strabismus may replace incisional surgery, a presenter here said.
"This may seem like a provocative statement, that injectable drugs will become the principal intervention for primary forms of strabismus within our generation, but I think certainly this is within our grasp," Stephen P. Christiansen, MD, said at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute 50th Anniversary Scientific Meeting.
Dr. Christiansen noted the improved understanding of indications for Botox (botulinum toxin type A, Allergan), one potential treatment for strabismus. He said he is also encouraged by the expanding repertoire of candidate drugs for modulating extraocular muscle strength, recent use of such drugs to increase muscle strength, and the fact that these drugs preserve normal biomechanical constructs.
"An ideal agent for strabismus treatment has to be one that is titratable, one that does not create a lot of collateral effects or significant inflammation, and one that lasts sufficiently longer than motor and sensory adaptation can occur," Dr. Christiansen said.
Long-term success rates for incisional surgery are poor, and reoperation rates are as high as 67%, he noted. According to Dr. Christiansen, newer immunotoxin agents are under investigation to extend duration of treatment beyond that of botulinum toxin. And more recently, researchers have begun evaluating naturally occurring growth factors that may cause less toxicity.
"I am excited to see our use of these drugs increase because I think the potential long-term benefits for these patients are higher," he said.
- Disclosure: Dr. Christiansen has no relevant financial disclosures.