Ophthalmic Biomaterials SIG Webinar

The following is a synopsis, "Antioxidant treatment strategies have shown promise for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, including glaucoma. In this work, we packaged the protein erythropoietin (EPO), a pleiotropic cytokine which has been shown to upregulate antioxidant protein expression, into sustained-release microparticles (MPs) formulated from a ROS-scavenging, semicrystalline polysulfide polymer. When injected intravitreally in a mouse model of glaucoma, the EPO MPs significantly reduced retinal ROS levels and sustained EPO delivery for at least 6 weeks. Additionally, treatment with EPO MPs significantly improved the function of bipolar cells, retinal ganglion cells, and the optic nerve measured by ERG and VEP tests."