Modern Aspects of Use of Pirenoxine Eye Drops for the Treatment and Prevention of Cataracts in the Practice of an Ophthalmologist

Abstract

One of the main causes of low vision and reversible blindness is cataract- clouding of the lens, one of the main causes of which is the degradation of transparent lens within natural aging. Despite the well-developed technology of cataract surgery, there are a number of factors that are increasing in the number of patients with age-related cataracts. The purpose of this review is to clarify the arsenal of an ophthalmologist, primarily an outpatient clinic, in terms of drug treatment and prevention of age-related cataracts, removing a number of issues and disclosing selected aspects devoted to the development and capabilities of eye drops Catalin® (pirenoxine). Being a small molecule Catalin® has scientifically justified and studied mechanism of action, the drug has been used in different regions for decades. The drug was developed in Japan by Senju Pharmaceutical Co, that manufactures it in Japan at its own plant in accordance with high quality standards. Catalin® eye drops are an original drug, they do not contain benzalkonium chloride and have a specific formulation. Pirenoxine eye drops has proven efficacy and safety shown within the number of clinical studies for the conservative treatment of age-related cataracts. The article provides data on clinical trials of pirenoxine conducted in Japan and Germany and their results obtained with the participation of several thousand patients. Periodic safety reports that include data from at least 1 million patients demonstrate the high safety profile of Catalin®. The data about the positive influence of Catalin® on the processes that are different from age-related cataract like the ability to slow down the development of presbyopia, reducing the frequency and severity of complications after cataract phacoemulsification and after vitrectomy is being discussed within the article. The role of Catalin® eye drops when waiting for planned surgical treatment of cataracts that might be delayed for a number of reasons is noted, as well as changing the status of the drug to OTC which makes it more accessible to patients.