Australia’s Dry Eye Centre of Excellence
Dipyridamole “Dipyeye” Eye Drops
Summary
- A cardiovascular medication
- Re-purposed to treat several eye conditions
- Active agents: Dipyridamole 0.008%
- Considered to be a homeopathic medication
- Limited clinical research to support therapeutic claims
Detailed Review
In 2014, Moshe Rogosnitzky and the MedInsight Research Institute at Ariel University, Israel case-reported the clinical regression of a pterygium in the right eye of a 35 year old woman, following, topical administration of dipyridamole at a homeopathic dose strength (1.68 × 10–4 M in normal saline solution) for 12 months.
The active ingredient in DipyEye eye-drops is “dipyridamole” which has been used as a cardiovascular medication for many years. The dose strength of Dipyeye though, is a small fraction (0.008%) of the dose used to treat cardiovascular disease. In fact, it is so weak that Dipyeye is considered to be a homeopathic treatment.
The distributor’s website recommends “Dipyeye” eye drops to treat a range of eye ailments including: dry eye, pinguecula, pterygium, meibomium gland dysfunction, blepharitis, conjunctivitis, melanocytic naevus and cataract.
A review of ocular applications of dipyridamole, mostly reported studies using oral dosing for applications unrelated to topical eye disease, with the single article on ocular surface pterygium being the case report described above.
A search of NCBI and Google Scholar as well as a request for research papers from the distributor also did not identify any additional key studies relating to the use of dipyridamole for topical eye disorders.
In summary, more clinical research would be helpful, to enable conclusions to be drawn about this medication.
Should I use Dipyeye?
The marketers of Dipyeye Eyedrops suggest that it is safe to use. Precautions/contraindications would presumably include any patient with known allergy or sensitivity to any of the ingredients. However, the Distributor does not specifically state this. Due to a lack of evidence, we are not able to conclude whether dipyridamole is an effective treatment for any eye condition. The Dry Eye Centre recommends patients discuss their use of this medication with an appropriate health professional to determine its suitability for their particular symptoms.
Where do I get Dipyeye?
Didpyeye Eye drops are not endorsed by, or available at the Dry Eye Centre
For More Information:
www.dryeyecentre.com.au/dry-eye/
References:
1. Rogosnitzky M, Isakov I, Wlassoff W, Ingram A, Barishak YR. Ocular Applications of Dipyridamole: A Review of Indications and Routes of Administration. Journal of Ocular Pharmacology and Therapeutics. 2016 Mar 1;32(2):83-9.
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