Corneal staining reductions observed after treatment with Systane Lubricant Eye Drops.

INTRODUCTION: Because of the added emphasis on ocular surface damage included in the Dry Eye Workshop's revised definition of dry eye, an evaluation of corneal staining reductions was conducted for propylene glycol/polyethylene glycol 400-based artificial tear drops (Systane Lubricant Eye Drops; Alcon Laboratories, Fort Worth, TX, USA). METHODS: An analysis was conducted on the percent change from baseline in mean corneal staining scores as reported in two previously published, randomized, double-masked, 6-week clinical studies of Systane. A descriptive comparison was also made between the outcome of the composite analysis and data obtained for Optivetrade mark Lubricant Eye Drops (Allergan, Inc., Irvine, CA, USA). Finally, results were reviewed for an open-label study that investigated corneal staining over a 5-week period after patients discontinued Systane therapy. RESULTS: The composite analysis included 107 Systane-treated patients. The results showed that Systane consistently reduced corneal staining at each visit; the percent change from baseline to day 42 (exit) was 47.1% (P<0.0001). After discontinuing Systane, immediate and significant increases in corneal staining were reported by 20 patients, with an overall increase from baseline to day 35 (exit) of 195.0% (P<0.0001). CONCLUSION: Evaluations of sum corneal ocular staining scores provide clinically meaningful evidence of dry eye severity, and are an important indicator of dry eye disease progression. The results of the composite analysis of two peer-reviewed studies indicate that Systane significantly reduced corneal staining (P<0.0001), indicating a reduction in the severity of dry eye. Finally, discontinuation of Systane results in a rapid increase in corneal staining that further confirms Systane's ability to maintain ocular surface health.

Precorneal residence time of artificial tears measured in dry eye subjects.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this investigation was to measure the precorneal residence time of saline and five marketed artificial tears in dry eye subjects using fluorometry. METHODS: FITC-dextran, 70 kDa molecular weight, was admixed under sterile conditions (0.1% wt/vol) into buffered saline and the marketed artificial tear formulations of varying viscosity. Precorneal residence time (RT) was measured directly in 16 mild to moderate dry eye subjects, classified by sub-type, in a six-way cross-over, masked and randomized study. FITC-dextran tracer decay with a scanning fluorometer was used to estimate the gross RT (i.e., the time in minutes for the signal to return to baseline). RESULTS: All subjects were classified as having non-inflammatory meibomian gland dysfunction except one, who had a mixture of aqueous deficiency and meibomian gland dysfunction. In two separate determinations, the saline RTs were 19.1 +/- 7.4 and 17.6 +/- 8.2 min. The RTs for the formulations varied to some degree by viscosity, with two higher viscosity formulations demonstrating the longest RTs of 36 to 41 min, approximately twice that of saline (p < 0.001 for both 0.4% polyethylene glycol/0.3% propylene glycol, and 1.0% carboxymethylcellulose). An oil emulsion, low viscosity carboxymethylcellulose and moderate viscosity hydroxypropylmethylcellulose-containing formulation were not statistically different from saline (RTs of 18, 22 and 24 min, p values = 0.983, 0.818 and 0.099, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: More than two-fold RT differences were found for the higher viscosity, more muco-adhesive formulations compared to saline. However, other formulations provided RTs close to saline, suggesting that RT is influenced by factors other than simple viscosity. Future studies should examine the interplay of spreading characteristics, pseudoplasticity and muco-adhesion relative to RT to determine the individual and cumulative effects on formulation retention.

An evaluation of tear film breakup time extension and ocular protection index scores among three marketed lubricant eye drops.

PURPOSE: To report the performance of an artificial tear containing propylene glycol and polyethylene glycol as active demulcents with hydroxypropyl-guar as a gelling agent (Systane Lubricant Eye Drops; Alcon, Fort Worth, TX) and compare it with that of 2 artificial tears containing carboxymethylcellulose (Refresh Tears and Refresh Endura Lubricant Eye Drops; Allergan, Irvine, CA). METHODS: This was a single-center, 3-visit, randomized, double-masked crossover study that evaluated the effect of Systane versus Refresh Tears and Refresh Endura using tear film breakup time (TFBUT) and ocular protection index (OPI) in subjects with dry eye (n = 50). TFBUT values (5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 45, and 60 minutes after instillation) divided by interblink interval (IBI) yielded OPI scores. RESULTS: Systane significantly improved TFBUT at 5, 10, 15, 20, and 60 minutes versus Refresh Tears and at 5, 10, 15, 20, and 30 minutes versus Refresh Endura. Systane OPI scores were significantly higher than Refresh Tears at 15 and 30 minutes and than Refresh Endura at 5 minutes. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that Systane Lubricant Eye Drops was more effective than Refresh Tears at prolonging TFBUT up to 20 minutes after instillation and more effective than Refresh Endura at prolonging TFBUT up to 30 minutes after instillation. These data show that Systane is an effective first-line dry eye therapy and a superior ocular surface protector compared with Refresh Endura and Refresh Tears in the sample test population.

An evaluation of the efficacy of a cyclosporine-based dry eye therapy when used with marketed artificial tears as supportive therapy in dry eye.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of marketed artificial tears in relieving the signs and symptoms of dry eye when used as supportive therapy to a cyclosporine-based ophthalmic emulsion. METHODS: Sixty-one patients were enrolled in this randomized, investigator-masked, parallel study of 6 months' duration. Eligible patients needed a Schirmer I score without anesthesia of 7 mm or less at day -7 and to answer that they needed artificial tears at least "some of the time." Corneal staining of 3 or more (National Eye Institute grid, 15 points) at day -7 and day 0 in the same eye was also required. Patients were randomized to one of three regimens: Restasis (0.05% cyclosporine) twice per day with Systane used a minimum of once per day (Restasis + Systane); Restasis twice per day with Refresh Tears used a minimum of once per day (Restasis + Refresh); and Systane alone used four times per day. Signs and symptoms were measured at days -7, 0, 7, 14, 28, 42, 120, and 180. RESULTS: A statistical difference was seen in favor of Restasis + Systane versus Restasis + Refresh for corneal staining (P = 0.0048) change from baseline and a trend (P = 0.0725) for increased tear film breakup time at 6 months. There were no differences between treatment groups for Schirmer score, conjunctival staining, or conjunctival injection. Significant differences were seen in favor of Restasis + Systane versus Restasis + Refresh for less ocular burning (P = 0.0210), stinging (P = 0.0314), grittiness (P = 0.0128), and dryness (P = 0.0132). Systane was better than Restasis + Refresh for less burning (P = 0.0288), dryness (P = 0.0480), and scratchiness (P = 0.0294). CONCLUSIONS: Results indicate that the choice of concomitant therapy used with Restasis has significant effects on outcome measures. Both supportive therapies were compatible with Restasis.

The diagnosis and characteristics of moderate dry eye in non-contact lens wearers.

PURPOSE: To identify and characterize moderate dry eye in non-contact lens wearers with a new scoring system-based dry eye questionnaire and to determine which objective tests better differentiate patients with moderate dry eye from healthy patients. METHODS: Fifty-two healthy subjects (21 women and 31 men with a mean age of 27.8 +/- 9.2 years) and 37 subjects with moderate dry eye (33 women and 4 men with a mean age of 36.4 +/- 12.9 years) completed a 42-item dry eye questionnaire. Seventeen healthy subjects (11 women and 6 men with a mean age of 30.5 +/- 9.7 years) and 28 subjects with moderate dry eye (24 women and 4 men with a mean age of 38.50 +/- 3.8 years) underwent additional objective assessment of ocular surface health, tear osmolality, tear stability, and tear volume. RESULTS: Subjects with moderate dry eye scored significantly higher (49.8 +/- 20.3, P<0.0001) on the dry eye questionnaire than did normal subjects (11.7 +/- 10.3). Ocular irritation symptoms worsened with progression of time of day in both groups of subjects. Internal reliability (0.95 Cronbach alpha) was excellent, and concurrent validity (Spearman rho 0.507) was acceptable when compared to the McMonnies and Ho dry eye questionnaire. Significant differences in tear osmolality (P<0.00001), invasive tear breakup time (P<0.034), and corneal vital dye staining (P<0.0001) were detected between the two groups of subjects. A stepwise linear regression on objective clinical tests, however, did not account for 77% of the total variance in the questionnaire scores. CONCLUSIONS: A unique scoring system-based dry eye questionnaire was validated to separate non-contact lens wearers with moderate dry eye from healthy subjects. Objective tests of tear osmolality and stability and ocular surface integrity were better than other clinical measures at identifying differences between the two subject groups. The results strongly support the evidence that the diagnosis and treatment of moderate dry eye requires a detailed assessment of self-perceived symptoms and that objective clinical testing alone may be insufficient.

Clinical evaluation of an HP-guar gellable lubricant eye drop for the relief of dryness of the eye.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of a new lubricant eye drop containing polyethylene glycol 400 and propylene glycol demulcents with hydroxypropyl-guar as a gelling agent (Test Product) to a system with carboxymethylcellulose (Control Product) for reducing dry eye signs and symptoms. METHODS: Eighty-seven dry eye volunteers were enrolled at seven sites for this six-week, concurrently controlled, double-masked clinical study. RESULTS: The Test Product significantly reduced conjunctival staining (p = 0.025) and temporal corneal staining (p = 0.024) compared to the Control. The Test Product also significantly reduced symptoms of dryness in the morning and evening, compared to the Control (p = 0.015 and p = 0.023, respectively). Subjects in the Test treatment group reported lower frequencies of foreign body sensation and felt their eyes were "refreshed longer" compared to those in the Control group (p = 0.033 and p = 0.037, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The Test Product was more effective at reducing both the signs and symptoms of dry eye compared to the carboxymethylcellulose containing Control.

Determination of the lysozyme deposit curve in soft contact lenses.

PURPOSE: To determine lysozyme deposition as a function of time in soft, high-water content, ionic (group IV) contact lenses. METHODS: ACUVUE lenses were worn on an extended-wear basis (15 minutes, 2 hours, 4 hours, 6 hours, 8 hours, 1 day, 2 day, and so forth, up to 11 consecutive days). New lenses were dispensed at the beginning of each lens-wear period. After each wear cycle, lenses were analyzed for lysozyme deposition by high performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS: Lysozyme rapidly accumulated on lenses (15 minutes approximately 55 microg/lens) and reached a plateau level by day 6 ( approximately 1300 microg/lens). Most patients in the study showed a plateau range between 1200 and 1400 microg/lens. Six-month and 12-month follow-up studies with ACUVUE lenses showed minimal variation at the 5-day wear time point between the initial, sixth, and 12th month results. CONCLUSIONS: This study measured the rate of lysozyme buildup on lenses over time and demonstrated that lysozyme levels associated with group IV lenses reached a plateau after approximately 1 week of extended wear. Little variability was seen in lens lysozyme deposition up to 1 year later. The information derived from this study concerning the rate and variability of deposition has implications for the design and interpretation of cleaning studies and contact lens performance evaluations.