Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose: To determine the efficacy of an oil–in–water emulsion eye drop (EED) in the management of dry eye compared to a traditional dry eye supplement (0.32% hypromellose) Methods: A longitudinal, randomised, single–masked and parallel study of the efficacy of EED and hypromellose solution was carried out. A total of 58 mild to moderate dry eye patients (29 in each group) were recruited for the study. Patients were enrolled if at least two symptoms were reported positively in McMonnies Dry Eye Questionnaire together with one of the following screening tests: non–invasive TBUT (<10 secs to 5 secs) and Schirmers test (<5 mm to 2 mm in 5 mins). Patients were instructed to use either EED or hypromellose solutions three times a day for 30 days. Tear production, evaporation, structure and osmolality were measured at baseline and after 30 days. Compliance tests (non–invasive TBUT and Schirmers test) was carried out at 7 days from the start of the use of the drops. Results: A statistically significant decrease in tear evaporation rates with both EED (7.24 ±5.43 g/m2/h) and hypromellose (2.0 2 ±4.74 g/m2/h) was found after a one month period of use of the drops. However, the decrease with emulsion was significantly greater than with hypromellose (p<0.001). No significant changes were seen in tear production and osmolality with either of the drops. Conclusions: The oil water emulsion was more effective in reducing evaporation of the tears than hypromellose following chronic application over a 1 month period. This signifies its potential in the management of evaporative dry eyes.
Keywords: cornea: tears/tear film/dry eye