Abstract
Purpose :
Introduction: Dry eye is a multifactorial disease of the ocular surface characterized by a loss of tear film homeostasis. It is a prevalent and disruptive condition that can present with mild to debilitating symptoms. Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD) is the most common root cause of evaporative dry eye. OTC eye drops are the most common dry eye remedy recommended by ECPs.
Purpose: Assess the ability of Blink® Triple Care nano emulsion eye drop to improve tear film stability (relative to non-treated eye or Blink® Tears control eye drop-treated eye) in a model of evaporative dry eye achieved through obstruction of the meibomian glands in rabbits.
Methods :
The evaporative dry eye model used in this study leveraged Gilbard et al’s previous work (meibomian glands closure achieved by cauterization of all meibomian glands orifices), while investigating novel endpoints: non-invasive tear break up time (NIBUT) for tear film stability in New Zealand White rabbits. 2 groups of 5 rabbits were used; a control group (untreated: intact (healthy) OS eye versus obstructed meibomian glands OD eye), and the test group (obstructed meibomian glands (at Day 0) in both OS and OD; OS treated with Blink® Tears control, OD treated with Blink® Triple Care test nano-emulsion eye drop). Eye drop treatment in test rabbit group started at Day 15 (3 instillations per day) and continued throughout the duration of the study. NIBUT were measured at baseline and throughout the duration of the study. One-Way ANOVA (Tukey) analysis was used for treatments comparison.
Results :
NITBUT measurements showed a statistically significant decrease in eyes whose meibomian glands had been obstructed (versus control eye, p < 0.05). This decrease in tear film stability was noted as early as one week post meibomian gland closure and maintained throughout the duration of the study. The slit lamp examinations did not reveal any significant staining during the timeframe of the study. Tear film stability was significantly improved versus non-treated eye (p < 0.05) with Blink® Tears (3.1s NIBUT improvement) and even greater improvement with Blink® Triple Care (4.4s NIBUT improvement) which is an oil-in-water emulsion.
Conclusions :
Blink® Tears, and to a greater extent Blink® Triple Care oil-in-water emulsion, quantifiably improved tear film stability in a rabbit MGD model.
This abstract was presented at the 2023 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in New Orleans, LA, April 23-27, 2023.