April 2009
Volume 50, Issue 13
Free
ARVO Annual Meeting Abstract  |   April 2009
Effect of Lacrisert® on the Signs and Symptoms of Dry Eye in Contact Lens Wearers
Author Affiliations & Notes
  • S. J. Curwen
    Dry Eye,
    Ora, Andover, Massachusetts
  • G. Torkildsen
    Ora, Andover, Massachusetts
  • G. W. Ousler, III
    Dry Eye,
    Ora, Andover, Massachusetts
  • B. Nentwig
    Dry Eye,
    Ora, Andover, Massachusetts
  • D. Welch
    Ora, Andover, Massachusetts
  • M. B. Abelson
    Ora, Andover, Massachusetts
  • Footnotes
    Commercial Relationships  S.J. Curwen, Ora, E; G. Torkildsen, Ora, C; G.W. Ousler, III, Ora, E; B. Nentwig, Ora, E; D. Welch, Ora, E; M.B. Abelson, Ora, E.
  • Footnotes
    Support  Aton Pharma, Inc.
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science April 2009, Vol.50, 4661. doi:
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      S. J. Curwen, G. Torkildsen, G. W. Ousler, III, B. Nentwig, D. Welch, M. B. Abelson; Effect of Lacrisert® on the Signs and Symptoms of Dry Eye in Contact Lens Wearers. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2009;50(13):4661.

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      © ARVO (1962-2015); The Authors (2016-present)

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Abstract

Purpose: : The leading cause of discontinued contact lens use is ocular dryness. Various other-the-counter rewetting solutions are available to provide temporary relief of this symptom. However, rewetting solutions are known to have a short dwell time, leading to the necessity of frequent dosing throughout the day. A product designed to provide longer term relief is Lacrisert®, a 1.27 mm by 3.5 mm rod of hydroxypropyl cellulose that is placed in the cul-de-sac of the eye. The purpose of this study was to determine the acceptability / ease of use of Lacrisert®, its duration of activity, and its effect on the signs and symptoms of dry eye in contact lens wearers.

Methods: : 30 contact lens wearers with a history of dry eye were enrolled into this 2-visit, open label study. Questionnaires were completed by patients at Visit 1 (Day 0) and after 4 weeks of QD dosing at Visit 2 (Day 28). Subjects were asked to evaluate their symptoms according to standardized scales, complete the OSDI quality-of-life questionnaire, and report on duration of action of the therapy used within the past month. Investigators performed a slit lamp biomicroscopy, assessed tear film break-up time (TFBUT) and corneal / conjunctival staining and measured BCVA at Visits 1 and 2. At Visit 2, investigators completed a questionnaire evaluating the effect of Lacrisert® on the signs and symptoms of dry eye, duration of action, and ease of use of this product.

Results: : 30 patients completed the study and reported significant improvements in dryness (p = < 0.0001) and grittiness (p = 0.008) after 4 weeks of dosing with Lacrisert® when compared to baseline. No significant differences were observed in the OSDI score. Mean TFBUT increased from 2.98 ± 1.62 sec. to 4.08 ± 1.60 sec. (p < 0.0001) and mean corneal / conjunctival staining decreased from 1.21 ± 0.69 to 0.79 ± 0.78 units (p < 0.0001). Investigators reported that 70.0% of subjects experienced an improvement of dry eye symptoms and 53.3% experienced an improvement in dry eye signs while wearing contact lenses. It was also reported that Lacrisert® was longer lasting 93.3% of the time when compared to rewetting solutions.

Conclusions: : The data in this study show that Lacrisert® relieves the signs and symptoms of dry eye in contact lens wearers with a history of dry eye. Patients experienced significant improvements in tear film stability as well as ocular surface damage. Lacrisert® may be longer-lasting than other available treatments.

Keywords: cornea: tears/tear film/dry eye • contact lens 
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