NEXGEL (NASDAQ:NXGL) said it has developed a new hydrogel eye patch to treat amblyopia, a type of poor vision that typically occurs in one eye but can occur in both. The condition is also called lazy eye.
The Langhorne, Pennsylvania-based company said the patch should be available for ophthalmologists and optometrists in the first half of 2023.
Amblyopia is present in 2% to 4% of the American population. According to the National Eye Institute in the US, it is the most common cause of visual impairment in childhood and affects approximately two to three children out of every 100.
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The global amblyopia treatment market is expected to reach over US$6 billion by 2027. Unlike the current standard-of-care patching for amblyopia, NEXGEL (NASDAQ:NXGL) said its hydrogel patch is gentler on the skin and is manufactured without the use of harsh chemicals or painful adhesives.
Dr. Leonard Nelson, co-director of the Pediatric Ophthalmology Department and director of the Strabismus Center at Wills Eye Hospital, said the most effective eye patches for treating amblyopia are placed on the skin covering the eye.
"However, traditional eye patches for amblyopia are difficult to adjust and remove, pulling at and irritating the thin skin around the eye. For children, the associated discomfort often leads to poor compliance and suboptimal treatment," Nelson said in a statement.
"NEXGEL (NASDAQ:NXGL)'s unique hydrogel technology is the innovation that paediatric ophthalmologists have been waiting for. The patches are gentle, can be worn for long periods of time without experiencing any pain or discomfort and are easily removable and replaceable - exactly what we need to treat our paediatric patients," Nelson said.
NEXGEL (NASDAQ:NXGL) CEO Adam Levy said being able to quickly develop the patch after learning about the need for a better amblyopia treatment product in the market is a hallmark of the company’s hydrogel technology.
"It is just another example of its many applications across healthcare, particularly at the interface between a medical device and the patient's skin," Levy said in a statement.
"Parents and doctors have been searching for a superior solution to treat this condition for pediatric patients, and we look forward to bringing our product to market in early 2023," Levy added.
NEXGEL is a leading provider of ultra-gentle, high-water-content hydrogel products for healthcare and consumer applications.
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