Preclinical Evaluation of Pitavastatin Nanoparticles for Preserving Cone Photoreceptors in Mouse Models of RP.

Summary: Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) is an eye disease that causes blindness because the light-sensing cells in the eye slowly die off. Right now, there is no cure. Scientists tested a new medicine called pitavastatin, which they packed into tiny, microscopic particles. They gave this medicine to mice that have RP.

The medicine worked by calming down angry immune cells in the blood, stopping them from traveling to the eye and causing damage. Mice that received the medicine just once a month kept twice as many of their light-sensing cells and had much better vision. This is a very promising new way that might help save eyesight in the future!