Turbo Eye Drops (TED) To Treat Sulfur Mustard Induced Corneal Blindness

Researchers at the University of Missouri have developed a novel eye drop composition containing four FDA approved drugs. The novel solution is intended to mitigate sulphur mustard gas induced corneal blindness.

Since the start of World War I, chemical weapons and agents have killed or injured an estimated 1.5 million people. Sulfur mustard is a strong blistering, highly reactive, lipophilic chemical that has been used as a war agent. Its exposure causes injury in different organs including the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract. The eyes are particularly susceptible to the consequences of sulfur mustard poisoning because of the aqueous and mucosal nature of conjunctiva and cornea. Acute eye manifestations of varying degrees can develop in 75–90% of exposed individuals. Currently there is no FDA approved antidote for sulfur mustard gas poisoning.

In vivo rabbit and in vitro human data demonstrate successful mitigation of sulfur mustard damage using MU’s Turbo Eye Drops solution, which returned adverse cellular changes to the levels seen in vehicle-control. Also, Turbo Eye Drops alone show no cytotoxicity.

Applications:

• Sulphur Mustard gas exposure: accidental, occupational, or chemical warfare

Advantages:

• Non-steroidal composition composed of four FDA approved drugs
• Stable at room temperature
• Easy to use
• Shelf life of over a year

State of development:

The eye drop solution has been successfully tested in rabbits, and on human corneal stromal fibroblasts, human corneal epithelial and endothelial cells and ex vivo human cornea organ cultures.

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