Punctal plug performs well at Phase II

Article

The Latanoprost punctal plug drug delivery system (L-PPDS) has performed well in its Phase II CORE trial, according to study data released by the manufacturer, QLT Plug Delivery Inc.

The Latanoprost punctal plug drug delivery system (L-PPDS) has performed well in its Phase II CORE trial, according to study data released by the system's manufacturer, QLT Plug Delivery Inc.

Thirty-eight patients implanted with the L-PPDS, a non-invasive sustained-release drug-eluting device, completed 12 weeks of follow-up in the randomized, double-masked, multicentre study. The patients had a mean age of 65 years (range: 40–87 years) and a mean baseline intraocular pressure (IOP) of 24.4±2.1 mmHg. Patients received a latanoprost dose of 3.5, 14 or 21 µg.

All dose groups achieved a statistically significant reduction in IOP. From baseline to week 12, the overall IOP reduction was 20%. For those receiving a high-dose of latanoprost, a mean IOP reduction of 4.9 mmHg was achieved; for a medium dose, the reduction was 4.8 mmHg, and for a low dose, the reduction was 5.4 mmHg. The L-PPDS was well tolerated; adverse events were mild and transient, and the most common instances were increased tear production and ocular discomfort.

In the next stage of the Phase II trial, QLT will investigate the use of higher doses of latanoprost (minimum 35 µg) with the L-PPDS.

Newsletter

Join ophthalmologists across Europe—sign up for exclusive updates and innovations in surgical techniques and clinical care.

Recent Videos
SriniVas R. Sadda, MD, FARVO, shares key points from his retina presentation at the International SPECTRALIS Symposium
Robert Sergott, MD, describes fluorescence lifetime imaging ophthalmoscopy (FLIO) and the International SPECTRALIS Symposium – And Beyond (ISS) in Heidelberg, Germany.
Rayaz Malik, MBChB, PhD, a professor of medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine - Qatar, spoke with Ophthalmology Times Europe about his presentation. It's titled "An eye on neurodegenerative diseases: Challenging the dogma" at the International SPECTRALIS Sympsoium. In conversation with Hattie Hayes, Ophthalmology Times Europe
Anat Loewenstein, MD, describes her presentation on remote imaging for age-related macular degeneration and geographic atrophy at the International SPECTRALIS Symposium, in conversation with Hattie Hayes of Ophthalmology Times Europe
Tyson Brunstetter, OD, PhD, a US Navy Aerospace Optometrist at the NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, shares key takeaways from his keynote at the International SPECTRALIS Symposium (ISS)
Rayaz Malik, MBChB, PhD, shares his presentation, titled An eye on neurodegenerative diseases: Challenging the dogma, at this year's International SPECTRALIS Symposium
At the Retina World Congress, Siegfried Priglinger, MD, speaks about ensuring the best outcomes for preschool-aged patients
At the 2025 ASCRS meeting, Robert Ang, MD said small aperture IOLs can benefit all patients, especially those with complex corneas or who have undergone previous corneal refractive surgery
Viha Vig, MBChB graduate student at the University of Auckland, New Zealand, discusses her poster presentation on the relationship between mitochondiral disease, Alzheimer disease, and other types of dementia.
Alfredo Sadun, MD, PhD, chief of Ophthalmology at the Doheny Eye Institute, University of California Los Angeles, shared exciting new research with the Eye Care Network during the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) meeting on the subject of Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON).
© 2025 MJH Life Sciences

All rights reserved.