[Development of carnosine eyedrops and assessing their efficacy in corneal diseases]

Stable eye drops of 5% carnosine have been developed. Trials of the drug on mice, rats, rabbits, and dogs showed it to be well tolerated at both total and local levels. In animals the eye drops did not affect the diameter of the pupil, nor did they increase the intraocular pressure. Clinical trials were carried out in 109 patients. Carnosine eye drops exerted a good therapeutic effect in corneal erosion, trophic keratitis, postherpetic epitheliopathy, primary and secondary corneal dystrophy, and bullous keratopathy. Used in combined treatment, the eye drops accelerated healing of corneal ulcers in herpesvirus and bacterial infection or dry keratoconjunctivitis. The Pharmacological Committee of the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of the Russian Federation permitted 5% carnosine eye drops for medical use.