Novel Compounds To Treat Ocular Disorders

Inventors at the University of Missouri have identified novel compounds to treat ocular disorders by reducing microglial activity through modulation of L-type voltage gated calcium channels (L-VGCC).

Background: Corneal neovascularization can result from a variety of pathologies including congenital disease, contact lens-related hypoxia, inflammatory disorders, chemical burns, limbal stem cell deficiency, allergy, trauma, infectious keratitis, autoimmune disease, and corneal graft rejection. Corneal disease is the third most common cause of blindness globally, and corneal neovascularization is present in most affected cases. It is estimated that 1.4 million people develop corneal neovascularization per year, 12% of whom suffer the subsequent loss of vision. The current invention offers a cost effective treatment modality against corneal neovascularization and in turn consequent vision loss.

Applications: Neuro-inflammatory disorders of the eyes and skin.

Advantages:
High water solubility
Low toxicity
Readily available
Cost effective