Abstract
Purpose: :
To determine the efficacy of an oil-in-water emulsion eye drop (EED) in the management of lipid deficiency dry eye (LDDE) in comparison to an aqueous based artificial tear (hypromellose 0.32%).
Methods: :
A longitudinal, randomised, single-masked and parallel study of the efficacy of EED and hypromellose solution was carried out. A total of 26 subjects with LDDE (15 in EED and 11 in hypromellose groups) were recruited for the study. Subjects with at least two positive symptoms on McMonnies Dry Eye Questionnaire were called for a screening visit. They were included in the study according to the following criteria: unstable lipid layer by tear film interferometry (TFI), with non-invasive TBUT of <10 secs to 5 secs or a Schirmers test of <5 mm to 2 mm in 5 mins. Patients were randomly allocated one of the two test solutions and instructed to use the eye drop three times a day for 30 days. Tear production, evaporation, stability (by TFI) and osmolarity were measured at baseline and after 30 days. Compliance tests (non-invasive TBUT and Schirmers test) were carried out at 7 days from the start of the use of the drops.
Results: :
No significant differences were seen in the effect at 1 month of the use of EED and hypromellose on tear turnover rate and osmolarity. Lipid layer stability improved in 53% (8/15) of the patients using EED whereas the improvement was seen in only 9% (1/11) of the patients on hypromellose. No significant difference was seen on the reduction in tear evaporation between the 2 groups following 1 month use of the test solutions.
Conclusions: :
Use of oil-in-water emulsion for 1 month stabilises the lipid layer in a majority of patients with LDDE.Acknowledgements: Unrestrictive funding was received for this study from Allergan Inc.
Keywords: cornea: tears/tear film/dry eye