Calcutta, July 26 :    Calcutta, July 26:  The Regional Institute of Ophthalmology, Calcutta, has developed an eyedrop that can revolutionise treatment of corneal ulcers caused by fungal infection (fungal keratitis). The medication, once it hits the market, will benefit up to four lakh people every year by preventing pain, blindness or even the need to extract the eyeball to prevent an infection from spreading. 'There are three fungal agents that cause corneal ulcers, the most common of which is aspergillus. In eastern India, up to 50 per cent of corneal ulcers are caused by fungal infections,' said Pankaj Agarwal, consultant ophthalmologist at the RIO, who had taken initiative in developing the eyedrop. The disease occurs after foreign particles enter the eye. Though farmers and villagers are more susceptible, it is common among post-operative eye patients recovering in hospitals. 'The symptoms are pain, photophobia, a vascular condition causing redness of the eyeball, pus formation in the ante-chamber of the eye, and ulceration of the cornea.' Although there are drops for the treatment of ulcers caused by bacteria, the three types available for fungal infections 'had a very narrow application and often did not work among some patients', RIO director Prof. A.R. Banerjee said. 'Now, with the development of eyedrops containing one per cent itraconazole, there has been a breakthrough in the treatment of corneal ulcers. The response among 80 per cent of the 54 patients in our study has been very good, with total cure reported in most cases,' he added. This is the first time RIO has come out with a significant and innovative finding in eye treatment.