New Contact Lens Elutes Antihistamine for Ocular Allergy
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The US Food and Drug Administration has approved a new contact lens that elutes the antihistamine ketotifen as a treatment for ocular allergy. This is the world's first and only contact lens that's able to prevent itching associated with allergies, while at the same time providing vision correction. The new lens, Acuvue Theravision With Ketotifenis, is already on the market in Canada and Japan. The lenses are daily disposable contacts indicated for the prevention of ocular itch due to allergic conjunctivitis in people who do not have red eyes, are suitable for wearing contact lenses, and do not have more than 1.00 D of astigmatism.
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@debraj Antihistamine eyedrops are contraindicated for use with contact lenses because eyedrop preservatives could interact with the lenses, and clinical trials generally exclude contact lens wearers. In contact with the eye, the drug diffuses from the lens into the tear film and is absorbed by the ocular tissues, much like a conventional eyedrop.