Ozone-based eye drops in anterior segment pathologies: rationale and pre-clinical data

Abstract

Inflammatory anterior segment diseases necessitating adequate antinflammatory therapy as conjunctivitis, keratoconjunctivitis sicca and corneal ulcers are common eye disorders encountered both in humans and in animals, actually treated by topical administration of eye drops containing antinflammatory and antibacterial agents. The current molecules often lack efficacy because infections in hypoxic tissue contain methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and new products for the treatment of ocular pain and inflammation are need. The use of ozone in certain anterior segment pathologies could be providential due to anti-inflammatory and bactericidal activity, in addition to promoting tissue repair properties. Ozonated oils have the same properties of gaseous ozone and are well tolerated by tissues. In the present study ozone-based eye drops were used to treat recurrent conjunctivitis and keratitis with excellent results in terms of pathology resolutions and satisfaction of the owners.