The Analysis Of Tear Film Stability In Patients With Dry Eye After Instillation Of Dual Polymer Hydroxypropyl Guar/Hyaluronic Acid Vs. Single Polymer Hyaluronic Acid

Dry eye is one of the most common pathologies encountered in ophthalmic clinics and the prevalence increases with age. Artificial tears are commonly used to treat the signs and symptoms of dry eye, and the dosage depends on the severity of the disease. This study evaluated the tear film stability in patients with dry eye after installation of dual polymer hydroxypropyl guar/hyaluronic acid (Systane Hydration, Alcon, Fort Worth, TX) vs. single polymer 0.15% hyaluronic acid.

Hygeia Clinic, Gdansk, Poland

Patients with recently diagnosed mild to moderate dry eye disease (OSDI score 23-32 points) aged 18-85 years were included in the study. For each patient, the right eye was randomized to receive fixed-viscosity artificial tear eye drops or intelligent system artificial eye drops. Just after the administration of the drop to the right eye, the fellow eye received the other eye drop. The first non-invasive Keratograph first break-up time (NIKBUT), average NIKBUT and tear meniscus height (TMH) were measured before administration of the eye drops, at 1-min, 15 min, 30 min, 60 min, 90 min, and 120 min after instillation.

A total of 29 patients aged 22.8±2.2 years participated in the study (21 women). No differences between the eye receiving dual polymer hydroxypropyl guar/hyaluronic acid and single polymer hyaluronic acid were observed for the first NIKBUT (p=0.45) and average NIKBUT (p=0.24) variables. Both dual polymer hydroxypropyl guar/hyaluronic acid and single polymer hyaluronic acid increased the TMH at 1-minute (p=0.95).

Both dual polymer hydroxypropyl guar/hyaluronic acid and single polymer hyaluronic acid solutions improved ocular surface parameters for up to two hours following administration, however, with no difference in NIKBUT and TMH evaluations.