New Therapy for a Devastating Eye Inflammation

Uveitis has been characterized as an inflammation of the interior of the eye. It may be anterior (in front) or posterior (in back) and often involves the Iris and therefore may also include Iritis. Treatment for these conditions involves topical steroid eye drops, and pupillary dilation. Corticoid steroid therapy, while very effective in treating this condition, does have long term implications and side effects. These include glaucoma and cataracts, and an increased likelihood of infection due to a suppressed immune system.

A recent study conducted at The Coatesville Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Pennsylvania and published in The American Journal of Pathology concluded that Melatonin Therapy may be used to prevent ocular inflammation caused by Uveitis. The study is still preliminary as it was conducted on hamsters, but does show promise in its results.

In the study, subcutaneous pellets of melatonin were implanted in the hamsters, and followed up for the first 24 hours and then in eight days. The melatonin dramatically reduced the clinical signs of the Uveitis including iris changes, dilation of the conjunctiva blood vessels, and anterior chamber cells and flare. In addition, the melatonin also reduced the levels of tumor necrosing factor-alpha, and nuclear factor kappa-B which are the chemicals responsible for causing ocular inflammation in Uveitis. This may be the reason why the melatonin therapy is so effective. Individuals with unresponsive Uveitis may benefit from this new therapeutic regimen since there appears to be very few if any long term side affects. This is a huge advancement over treatment with steroids that do exhibit substantial side affects when used for prolonged periods of time.

An important detail that still needs to be worked out is the delivery method. In lab animals, implanting pellets are easy, but in humans a more practical method must be developed. Since melatonin has a very short half life and breaks down quickly, it demonstrates limited bioavailability. When a good delivery method is developed, Uveitis can then be treated in a safer and efficacious manner.