Disease focus areas

Glaucoma

A major cause of blindness

Glaucoma affects millions of patients worldwide and can lead to blindness if not treated. It is a group of ocular diseases in which the optic nerve is injured, leading to peripheral and ultimately central visual field loss, and is currently considered to be one of the three leading causes of irreversible blindness worldwide. Glaucoma is frequently linked to abnormally high pressure in the eye, elevated intraocular pressure (IOP), due to blockage or malfunction of the eye’s aqueous humor drainage system in the front of the eye. About 3 million people in the United States between 40 and 80 years of age are affected by the most common form of glaucoma, open-angle glaucoma.

Current medications are targeted at reducing IOP to slow the progression of the disease. It is generally accepted that every mmHg of IOP lowering results in a risk reduction in open angle glaucoma progression of approximately 10% to 20%. Numerous eye drops are available to either decrease the amount of fluid produced in the eye or improve its flow out of the eye. Nearly half of the patients with open-angle glaucoma require more than one medication to lower their IOP to a target level at which visual field loss is likely to be minimized or halted. The requirement for multiple medications to lower an individual patient’s IOP to their target level highlights the need for more effective treatments.

Glaucoma affects millions of patients worldwide and is currently considered to be one of the three leading causes of irreversible blindness worldwide.

About 3m

U.S. sufferers

About 3 million people in the United States between 40 and 80 years of age are affected by the most common form of glaucoma, open-angle glaucoma.
50%

Undetected

Open-angle glaucoma, the most common form, results in increased eye pressure. There are often no early symptoms, which is why 50% of people with glaucoma don’t know they have the disease.
x2

Diabetes risk

People with diabetes are 2 times more likely to get glaucoma than people without diabetes.

Allergic Conjunctivitis

One of the most common eye conditions

Allergic conjunctivitis occurs when an allergic reaction causes conjunctivitis, an inflammation of the thin layer of tissue that lines the outside of the white surface of the eye and the inner surface of the eyelids. It may affect one or both eyes. The signs and symptoms may include eye redness, excessive watering, itchy burning eyes, discharge, blurred vision and increased sensitivity to light. It is estimated that more than 75 million people suffer from allergic conjunctivitis in the United States and the estimated prevalence of allergic conjunctivitis may be between 15% and 40%.

Allergic conjunctivitis

Allergic conjunctivitis is common in people who have other signs of allergic disease, such as hay fever, asthma, and eczema. It is caused by the body’s reaction to certain substances it is allergic to.

75m

People suffering

It is estimated that more than 75 million people suffer from allergic conjunctivitis in the United States
40%

Prevalence

Of those in the United States suffering from allergic conjunctivitis, it is estimated prevalence may be between 15% and 40%

Blepharitis

A painful unmet need

Blepharitis is a condition in which the margins of the eyelids become painful, red and swollen and eyelashes may contain dandruff like matter. Anatomically, it can be classified in two types: anterior and posterior blepharitis. Anterior blepharitis affects the outside front of the eyelids, where the eyelashes are attached, it can be caused by an infection with bacteria, commonly staphylococcus, a viral infection, or associated with seborrheic conditions in which improper function of the oil glands from the skin (sebaceous glands) cause greasy, waxy scales to accumulate in the lid margin and eyelashes. These individuals also frequently suffer of seborrheic dermatitis of the face and scalp. Another form of high prevalence anterior blepharitis is demodex blepharitis, caused by a tiny mite that lives in the hair follicles of the eyelashes. Posterior blepharitis affects the inner edge of the eyelids, the moist part of which makes contact with the tear film and the eye globe, and is most commonly caused by problems with eyelid oil glands, the meibomian glands. This form of blepharitis is also known as Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD). Other causes of posterior blepharitis include infectious and allergic conjunctivitis and is associated also with systemic conditions such as acne rosacea. In chronic severe cases of blepharitis, both the anterior and posterior regions of the eyelids are likely involved. All forms of blepharitis are associated with significant inflammation of the eyelid and benefit from an anti-inflammatory treatment.

Blepharitis often coexists with other related conditions, such as dry eye, with an incidence that is similar to or higher than dry eye in evaluations of symptomatic patients (24% incidence of blepharitis versus 21% incidence of dry eye). It is believed that in patients with both blepharitis and dry eye, an improvement in blepharitis may lead to an improvement of the dry eye disease. Blepharitis is difficult to study, and there is not a definitive consensus on the prevalence of the disease. Studies show, however, that blepharitis is one of the most common conditions encountered in clinical practice. Of patients seen by ophthalmologists and optometrists, 37% and 47%, respectively, present with signs of the disease.

There is currently no FDA-approved prescription product solely indicated for the treatment of blepharitis. Surveys reveal that ophthalmologists and optometrists consider anti-inflammatory activity to be the most important product attribute when selecting a treatment for both forms of blepharitis, which supports the development of NCX 4251.

There is currently no FDA-approved prescription product solely indicated for the treatment of blepharitis
47%

Patients diagnosed

Of patients seen by ophthalmologists and optometrists, 37% and 47%, respectively, present with signs of the disease.
25m

Sufferers

More than 25 million Americans suffer from blepharitis.
86%

Blepharitis and dry eye disease

86% of all patients with dry eyes have concomitant blepharitis.

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