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| Co-developer of the technology Langston Suen Wai-Leung (center) demonstrates the model of the drug delivery device during a press conference at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, April 27 . (Provided to China Daily) |
HONG KONG - A drug delivery device, which may save over 300 million patients with eye diseases worldwide from having needle injections in their eyes, leaving no side effects or scars after treatment, was announced on Wednesday by Hong Kong scientists.
Researchers from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) on Wednesday unveiled their new innovation – a drug delivery tool that can administer drugs into the eye through ultrasound.
The traditional therapy for eye diseases such as diabetic retinopathy, wet age-related macular degeneration, and retinal vein occlusion, involves monthly injections directly to patients’ eyes, risking side effects and complications.
Co-developer of the technology Langston Suen Wai-leung said the newly developed device may enhance the efficiency of the treatment as well.
The needle injection, as a surgical-level procedure, is required to be performed by surgeons only. However, it is very likely that nurses or even patients themselves will be able to operate the new device, Suen added.
But the device is not cheap as it is expected to be sold at around HK$10,000, for around two to three years’ service life. Mass production for the device may come within four years as the research team is in discussion with business partners.
