Spanish researchers reported the results of a new study showing that contact lenses (CLs) soaked in melatonin and melatonin analogue solutions could be used to treat aqueous tear deficient dry eye disease (DED).

The study team, led by Dr Francisco Javier Navarro-Gil from the Faculty of Optics and Optometry at Complutense University of Madrid, used a rabbit model to show how melatonin analogues topically administered evoke a potent tear secretagogue effect. This however required a high drug concentration and frequent dosing, something they overcame using five commercially available melatonin-soaked hydrogel CLs. These prolonged the drug’s retention on the cornea and thus improved therapeutic performance, they said. “The adaptation of CLs loaded with agomelatine or 5-MCA-NAT in rabbits triggered a higher tear secretion than the corresponding eye drops (78% and 59% more, respectively).”

The full study was published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine.