Biomimetic Emulsion Eye Drops Improving Post-Cataract Healing Of The Corneal Surface

HA-based eye drops are widely used today to treat the symptoms caused by eye dryness. HA is an endogenous macromolecule and is a polymer of choice for its interesting lubrication properties and high biocompatibility. But,  linear HA solutions exhibit limited residence time on the ocular surface which may impact its efficacy to promote wound healing. Noxelis, developed a complex formulation based on a co-crosslinked HA-modified chitosan, phosphatidylcholine and strong antioxidants named NOX-01. This innovative formulation was designed for patients with moderate to severe dry eye to answer major patient concern and improve wound healing properties after a lesion on the ocular surface via a complex and concentrated formulation.

Cataract surgery is by far the most performed ophthalmic surgery worldwide. Corneal surface damage post cataract surgery is a common pathology. Applying eye drops is crucial for optimal corneal healing. The combination of specific components in artificial tears is crucial and may consequently enhance the efficacy of such treatment. They aid/support the corneal healing post-cataract surgery by lubricating, hydrating, reducing inflammation, and by promoting cell viability and proliferation.

To study the ability of the biomimetic emulsion NOX-01 (Sample S1) to promote corneal healing, we employed the following method. Human Corneal Epithelial Cells (HCEpiC) were grown to confluence in a 24-wells plate, and a scratch wound was made in the centre of the well, followed by phase contrast microscopy imaging at baseline and at 30h post scratch. Samples (S1 and commercial eye drops S2, S3, S4 and control medium) were added at 20% V/V in culture medium and control was only culture medium. The wound surface areas at each timepoint were measured using Image J software. These experiments were performed in triplicates. The data of each replicate were presented as a closed area and the percentage of the original wound area at 0h.

The percentage of closed area observed in the scratch assay on HCEpic cells was 72±1%; 59±7%; 59±6%; 56±2% and 72±8% for S1, S2, S3, S4 and medium, respectively. The observed difference of the percentage of closed area of samples S2, S3 and S4 when compared with medium is approximately 20% that is consistent with the percentage tested 20% v/v, thus these samples did not impact in the process of wound healing. However, S1 sample shown the same percentage of closed area as the control, showing a good efficacy and a positive impact on the process of corneal wound healing of a damage cornea as shown in Fig.1.

Here we analyzed the wound healing properties of several commercial eye drops and compared it with NOX-01 formulation. NOX-01 was designed to optimise the surgical outcomes and offer to patients an enhanced recovery for optimal comfort. Also, we could demonstrate that the synergetic effect of the right components and their optimal concentrations led to enhanced wound healing capacities. The results also demonstrated a superior corneal healing ability versus competitors. This complex formulation was shown to improve the corneal regeneration via the acceleration of the proliferation of human corneal epithelial cells in vitro.