Aldose Reductase Inhibitor Improves Corneal Epithelial Function in Diabetics

Aldose reductase inhibition may reduce the formation of advanced glycation end products in the cornea. Topical treatment with the aldose reductase inhibitor CT-112 improves corneal epithelial function in patients with diabetes.
Previous studies have shown that CT-112 improves corneal sensation in patients and corneal epithelial barrier function in a rat model, explain Dr. Shiro Amano and colleagues from University of Tokyo School of Medicine in the March 1st British Journal of Ophthalmology.

In their current study, the team evaluated changes in the corneal epithelial barrier function in a randomized trial involving 34 patients with type 2 diabetes.

Average fluorescein uptake, a measure of corneal epithelial barrier function, decreased significantly among CT-112-treated patients but not among placebo-treated patients, the investigators report. Average fluorescein concentrations differed significantly between the two groups after 4 and 8 weeks of topical treatment.

This is "evidence that there was recovery from impairment of corneal epithelial barrier function in the diabetic patients after topical application of CT-112," the investigators write.

Superficial punctate keratopathy scores and corneal sensitivity did not differ significantly between the CT-112 treatment and placebo groups, the report indicates.

"Aldose reductase inhibitor is posited to improve the corneal epithelial changes caused by diabetes through the recovery of corneal sensation and increased tear production," Dr. Amano and colleagues write. "In our study, however, the application of CT-112 improved corneal epithelial barrier function but did not change corneal sensation or the fluorescein staining score."
Br J Ophthalmol 2005;89:266-268.

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