ABSTRACT
Prolonged daily face mask wearing over several months might affect health of the ocular surface and is reported to be associated with complaints of discomfort and dry-eye-like symptoms. We studied the ocular surface clinical parameters, tear soluble factors and immune cell proportions in ophthalmologists practicing within similar environmental conditions (n = 17) at two time points: pre-face-mask period (Pre-FM; end of 2019) and post-face-mask-wearing period (Post-FM; during 2020 COVID-19 pandemic), with continuous (~8 h/day) mask wear. A significant increase in ocular surface disease index (OSDI) scores without changes in tear breakup time (TBUT), Schirmer's test 1 (ST1) and objective scatter index (OSI) was observed Post-FM. Tear soluble factors (increased-IL-1ß, IL-33, IFNß, NGF, BDNF, LIF and TSLP; decreased-IL-12, IL-13, HGF and VEGF-A) and mucins (MUC5AC) were significantly altered Post-FM. Ex vivo, human donor and corneoscleral explant cultures under elevated CO2 stress revealed that the molecular profile, particularly mucin expression, was similar to the Post-FM tear molecular profile, suggesting hypercapnia is a potential contributor to ocular surface discomfort. Among the immune cell subsets determined from ocular surface wash samples, significantly higher proportions of leukocytes and natural killer T cells were observed in Post-FM compared to Pre-FM. Therefore, it is important to note that the clinical parameters, tear film quality, tear molecular factors and immune cells profile observed in prolonged mask-wear-associated ocular surface discomfort were distinct from dry eye disease or other common ocular surface conditions. These observations are important for differential diagnosis as well as selection of appropriate ocular surface treatment in such subjects.
ABSTRACT
In this study, we investigated the effect of preservative-free (PF) 0.0015% tafluprost (TA), to the preservative containing (PC) and the PF 0.005% latanoprost (LA) in Korean subjects. This study was conducted as a multi-center, randomized, investigator-blind, active controlled, parallel-group, clinical trial in adult patients (≥19 years) with open-angle glaucoma (OAG) and ocular hypertension (OHT). After a washout period, patients with an IOP between 15 and 35 mmHg were enrolled and evaluated the efficacy, safety, and compliance at 4, 8 and 12 weeks after the first administration. A total of 137 OAG and OHT patients were randomized. Statistically significant reductions in IOP were observed in all groups. Twelve weeks after each eye drop instillation, the mean IOP reduction was -4.59 ± 2.70 mmHg (-24.57 ± 13.49%) in the PC-LA group, -4.52 ± 2.17 mmHg (-24.41 ± 11.38%) in the PF-LA, and -3.14 ± 2.83 mmHg (-17.22 ± 14.57%) in the PF-TA group. The PF-LA showed significantly better responsiveness than did PF-TA. PF-LA was better tolerated than was PC-LA. There were no adverse events that led to cessation of eye drop use in any of the groups. In conclusion, IOP decreased similarly across the groups. PF-LA may provide a good choice for OAG patients with ocular surface diseases.