Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, May 29: A widely available and low-cost HIV medication, lamivudine, may offer new hope for millions of people suffering from diabetic macular edema (DME), a leading cause of vision loss among diabetics. Preliminary results from a U.S.-based clinical trial suggest that the oral drug can significantly improve eyesight and may offer a less invasive alternative to current treatments.

DME affects roughly one in every 14 individuals with diabetes, causing fluid accumulation in the retina and leading to impaired vision. Currently, the standard treatment involves monthly injections directly into the eye, which can be both costly and logistically challenging for many patients.

Researchers from the University of Virginia's Center for Advanced Vision Science tested lamivudine in a small, randomized trial involving two dozen adults with DME. The participants were divided into two groups — one received lamivudine, the other a placebo — with both groups later receiving bevacizumab, a standard injectable eye treatment, after four weeks.

The findings were encouraging. Patients who took lamivudine showed notable improvements in vision even before receiving any eye injections. On average, they were able to read 9.8 more letters on an eye chart (roughly two lines) at the four-week mark, while those in the placebo group experienced a slight decline.

After receiving bevacizumab, those on lamivudine saw even greater gains, improving by 16.9 letters — more than three lines on the chart — compared to 5.3 letters in the placebo group.

Researchers believe lamivudine’s effectiveness stems from its ability to block inflammasomes, immune system components that, while crucial in fighting infections, have also been linked to the development of DME.

Jayakrishna Ambati, who led the study, emphasized the potential of the drug not only as a standalone treatment but also in combination therapies. He noted that oral lamivudine could be especially transformative in low-resource settings, where access to frequent medical appointments and injections is limited.

While the results are promising, the researchers stress the need for larger trials to confirm these findings and assess long-term outcomes. Still, the early data suggests that a long-established HIV drug could soon play a surprising new role in restoring vision for diabetic patients worldwide.