New eye therapy approved in China

China's medicine authority recently approved an eye therapy to be marketed in China.

Developed by Dompé, an Italian biopharmaceutical company, the therapy is designed to treat neurotropic keratitis, or NK, an eye disease that could lead to blindness.

NK is caused by the impaired function of the corneal nerves. Clinical symptoms include the decline or absence in corneal sensation, following which the development of stromal ulcers, dissolution and perforation could take place. In severe cases, patients lose their vision.

The therapy, according to the company, will promote the healing of ocular surface tissues and regenerate corneal nerves.

Medical experts have urged the public to take pre-emptive measures, such as being prudent in the use of eye drops with preservatives and not wearing contact lens for prolonged periods.