Potential Application of Bendazac L-Lysine for Controlling Myopia Progression, as Demonstrated in Two Experimental Guinea Pig Myopia Models.

PURPOSE: Myopia is a common refractive error that is emerging as a major concern worldwide, because it is not clear how best to treat it. To improve therapeutic management of this condition, novel favorable risk-benefit profiles and accessible approaches are urgently needed. Here, we evaluate the efficacy of bendazac L-lysine (BDL) for attenuating experimental myopia in guinea pigs. METHODS: Three-week-old pigmented guinea pigs wore occluders or -4.00 diopter (D) lenses on the right eye to induce either form-deprivation myopia (FDM) or lens-induced myopia (LIM), respectively. Simultaneously, (1) induced-myopic eyes received daily peribulbar injections of the aldose reductase inhibitors (ARIs) sorbinil, zopolrestat, or BDL during FDM or LIM. (2) FDM eyes received daily peribulbar injections of one of four doses of BDL, or twice-daily BDL eye drops or ointment. (3) FDM eyes received daily peribulbar injections of either bendazac or L-lysine. (4) Guinea pigs that were not subjected to myopia induction (normal vision) received daily peribulbar injections of BDL. The effects on refraction, axial length, and choroidal thickness (ChT) were measured after treatment. RESULTS: Sorbinil and zopolrestat had no effect on FDM, whereas BDL inhibited FDM and LIM development. BDL treatment, regardless of peribulbar injection, eye drops, or ointment, suppressed FDM. Bendazac, rather than L-lysine, is the active ingredient in BDL. The BDL significantly inhibited either FDM or LIM associated decrease in ChT, without altering ChT during normal ocular growth. CONCLUSIONS: BDL significantly suppressed myopia development in experimentally induced myopia in guinea pigs. This study suggests that BDL may be a viable candidate for myopia control.