Contact lenses that reduce eye itch may become a reality

Experimental contact lenses that not only improve vision, but also ward off itchiness due to allergies, got a boost with the completion of two late-stage studies, according to a new report.

The antihistamine-containing lenses, developed and tested by Johnson & Johnson, significantly quieted eye allergy symptoms, researchers reported in Cornea.

“These are pretty encouraging results,” said coauthor Brian Pall, director of clinical science for Johnson & Johnson Vision Care. “Over 20 percent of people suffer from eye allergies. It has a pretty big impact on their quality of life.”

The two randomized trials – both funded by Johnson & Johnson – tested the effectiveness and safety of lenses that slowly release the antihistamine ketotifen. Together the trials included 244 volunteers whose ages ranged from 12 to 61.

Participants either wore two antihistamine-treated lenses, two regular lenses without the antihistamine, or one of each – but they didn’t know what they were wearing.

After volunteers put the lenses in, they were exposed to allergens that would normally make their eyes itch. They were asked to rate on a scale of zero to four how itchy their eyes were at 15 minutes after the lenses were inserted and 12 hours after insertion. Scores were lower on average, by more than one point on a scale of zero to four, when volunteers had medicated lenses in.

Between the two studies there were 24 adverse events, most of which were mild, the researchers reported. There were two more-severe adverse events that occurred in both eyes of one volunteer, which the researchers described as “excess tearing.”

Some of the volunteers who wore lenses with antihistamine reported no itching, while others reported itching that was bothersome, but tolerable, Pall said.

Pall is very enthusiastic about the new lenses. “We are super excited to have this opportunity to publish on this technology,” he said.

Dr. Christopher Starr welcomed the new findings.

“This is really novel and interesting on a number of levels,” said Starr, an ophthalmologist and professor at NewYork-Presbyterian and Weill Cornell Medicine. “I do treat a lot of patients with seasonal allergies in New York City. Right now they’re bracing for the first peak that comes from April to May.”

Currently Starr advises those patients to put antihistamine drops in their eyes 10 minutes before they put their lenses in. “Then they can wear them throughout the day,” he said. “And then they put a second drop in their eyes after they take the lenses out.”

In fact, Starr said, “my own eyes itch and this is a product that on first glance – with this positive data – is something I would use myself.”

It’s also reassuring that the new product is a combination of two items that have proven track records for safety, Starr said.

Pall says he doesn’t know when the new lenses might show up on store shelves.