Quantitative Comparison And Analysis Of The Rheological Properties Of Commercially Available Ocular Surface Lubricants In South Korea
Published 2026 - 44th Congress of the ESCRS
Reference: POCOR512 | Type: Poster | DOI: 10.82333/4w77-tt71
Authors: Dr Yonggu Cho 1 , Dr Hyeong Yong Song 2 , Ms Eunjo Kim 3 , Mr Min Chan Kim 3 , Prof. Kyu Hyun 4 , Prof. Dr Cheolwon Moon* 1
1Department of Ophthalmology, Wonkwang University School of Medicine,Iksan,Korea, Republic Of, 2Institute for Environment and Energy, Pusan National University,Pusan,Korea, Republic Of, 3School of Chemical Engineering, Pusan National University,Pusan,Korea, Republic Of, 4Institute for Environment and Energy, Pusan National University,Pusan,Korea, Republic Of;School of Chemical Engineering, Pusan National University,Pusan,Korea, Republic Of
Purpose
To quantitatively characterize and compare the rheological properties of commercially available ocular surface lubricants (OSL) in South Korea, focusing on viscosity, shear-thinning behavior, and linear viscoelasticity. OSL are first-line therapy for ocular surface disease, including dry-eye disease, meibomian gland dysfunction, blepharitis, allergic conjunctivitis, conjunctivochalasis, lid wiper epitheliopathy, and filamentary keratitis, in which blink-related friction and tear film instability play key roles. This study aimed to provide clinically relevant information to support the selection of OSL based on rheological behavior rather than formulation type alone.
Setting
This experimental laboratory study was conducted at a tertiary academic medical center in collaboration with a university-based rheology laboratory in South Korea.
Methods
A total of 21 samples were analyzed, including 18 commercially available ocular surface lubricants (9 hyaluronic acid–based [HA], 5 carboxymethylcellulose-based [CMC], 3 carbomer-based, and 1 lanolin-based formulations) and 3 controls (sterile distilled water, Vigamox® [Alcon], and Tarivid® [Santen]). The formulations were classified into three types: liquid (LF), gel (GF), and ointment (OF). Rheological measurements were performed using a rotational rheometer. Steady-shear tests were conducted to evaluate viscosity, shear-thinning behavior, and apparent yield stress. Small-amplitude oscillatory shear tests were performed to assess linear viscoelastic properties, with a focus on elastic contributions.
Results
All samples exhibited higher viscosity than sterile distilled water and Vigamox®. CMC showed concentration-dependent increases in viscosity, whereas HA demonstrated variable viscosity regardless of concentration. Shear-thinning behavior was observed in GF, OF, and HA, except New Hyaluni® and Hyabak®. GF and OF exhibited greater shear-thinning than LF, and at higher shear rates, GF showed more pronounced shear-thinning than OF. Apparent yield stress was observed exclusively in OF. Regarding viscoelastic properties, GF exhibited higher elastic contributions than LF across the measured range. HA, except Kynex3®, demonstrated higher elastic contributions than CMC.
Conclusions
This study quantitatively compared the rheological properties of commercially available ocular surface lubricants in South Korea and demonstrated that viscosity, shear-thinning behavior, and viscoelastic characteristics vary according to formulation type and the type and concentration of the main ingredient. These differences could not be sufficiently explained by the concentration of the main ingredient alone. The findings provide foundational data for understanding the rheological behavior of ocular surface lubricants and may aid in their clinical practice.