Abstract
Purpose :
In this study, we investigated the corneal safety and ocular surface mucin changes after one month use of a preservative free commercial eye wash solution.
Methods :
Forty-six healthy eyes of 23 individuals (19 males,4 females; mean age:35.4±7.5 yrs) without ocular allergies, dry eyes, or other ocular diseases were recruited in this prospective study. A commercial eye wash solution（EyebonRｗ,Kobayashi Pharmaceuticals,Osaka,Japan）was used for eye wash. Conjunctival impression cytology (IC) was performed before and one month after wash b.i.d.mRNA was extracted from the IC papers and Real-time PCR was done for the mRNA expressions of MUC5AC and MUC16. Cytology imprints also underwent immunohistochemistry for MUC16. The area of staining was calculated with a digital software (WINROOF 2018, Mitani Shoji Ltd, Fukui, Japan) and the ratios with the area of epithelial cells were calculated. Periodic Acid Schiff staining was done for goblet cell density calculations. Dry eye symptom questionnaire and tear film break up time (BUT) examinations were performed.Biomicroscopy was performed for corneal staining(min score:0 point, maximum score:9 points). IRB was obtained. ANOVA was used for statistical analyses. A p value less than 5% was statistically significant.
Results :
No significant differences in MUC5AC and MUC16 mRNA expressions between washed and unwashed eyes after one month(p＞0.05)were seen.No significant differences were observed in BUT values (Eye wash group; pre-wash BUT: 8.3±3.5sec, post-wash BUT: 8.0±2.3;Non wash group: pre-wash BUT: 8.1±2.1sec, post-wash BUT: 8.0±2.2) corneal fluorescein staining scores and DEQS scores before and one month after eye wash (Eye wash group; pre-wash DEQS: 14.8±9.4 pts, post-wash DEQS: 5.6±6.3; non wash group: pre-wash DEQS: 14.8±9.4, post-wash DEQS: 8.9±11.1) and in comparison to unwashed contralateral eyes (p＞0.05). The ratios of the areas stained with MUC16 antibodies to the areas of conjunctival epithetial cells did not show significant differences before and after eye wash (p＞0.05). Goblet cell densities also showed no significant differences before and after eye wash (p＞0.05).
Conclusions :
The results of the current study suggest that one month use of a non-preserved commercial eye wash solution had no detrimental effects on the tear film and the ocular surface mucins suggesting their safety on the ocular surface.
This abstract was presented at the 2019 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Vancouver, Canada, April 28 - May 2, 2019.