Share A Phase II clinical trial is underway in Austria to determine if Rescula eye drops might help dry AMD by improving ocular blood flow.  Rescula (unoprostone isopropyl) has been approved in the U.S. for glaucoma and ocular hypertension.

There is evidence that problems with the blood flow in the retina can contribute to the development of drusen and dry macular degeneration.

This is a small study of 28 patients taking place at the Medical University of Vienna.  Patients must be over age 50, have vision at least 20/40, and no wet AMD.  It will measure the ocular blood flow in response to either 2 or 3 drops of the drug.  The control group will receive either 2 or 3 drops of a placebo.

If the data is encouraging, a larger clinical trial will be established.  If the drug works, the goal with dry AMD patients would be to slow or stop the progression, so the research path may be a long one.  More information may be available at October's American Academy of Ophthalmology meeting, so be sure to sign up for our AMD Update newsletter to receive the Special Academy edition of our newsletter.