Abstract
Purpose: :
To evaluate the efficacy of two Polyethylene Glycol 400 0.4% artificial tears for the treatment of mild dry eye signs and symptoms.
Methods: :
Randomized, investigator-masked cross-over evaluation of 40 patients (80 eyes). Included patients were those with mild dry eye symptoms per patient reporting/physician assessment and were not currently using any artificial tears regularly, or using low viscosity tears for symptom relief (Refresh Tears, Visine Tears, Tears Naturelle, etc.). Patients were randomized to instill either Tear A (Blink tears, Abbott Medical Optics Inc.) or Tear B (Systane Ultra) in each eye four times-daily for 1 month. Patients were crossed-over after 1 month to the other drop. Study visits were at baseline, month 1, and month 2. Outcome measures included TBUT, VA and lissamine green staining and patients completed a dry eye questionnaire.
Results: :
Tear A significantly improved TBUT after one month of treatment (increase of 2.4 seconds, P=.003) while there was no significant improvement with Tear B (increase of 0.3 seconds, P=.320). No significant changes were noted for staining or visual acuity. Patients reported that blink was more soothing, improved vision, was less blurring, and was more comfortable than Tear B (P≤.043).
Conclusions: :
Tear A improved TBUT and the symptoms of dry eye significantly better than Systane Ultra. Patients preferred Tear A.
Clinical Trial: :
www.clinicaltrials.gov NCT00493662
Keywords: cornea: tears/tear film/dry eye