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Allergan launches eye drop for treating post-LASIK dry eye

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IRVINE, Calif. — Allergan has added a preservative-free eye drop to its line of Optive artificial tears for treating LASIK-induced dry eye syndrome, the company announced in a press release.

Optive Sensitive Preservative-Free Lubricant Eye Drops (carboxymethylcellulose sodium 0.5%, glycerin 0.9%) protect corneal epithelial cells from excessive salt levels and surface cells from hyperosmotic stress after LASIK, according to the release.

This addition follows positive results from a 30-day trial that compared the effects of Optive drops to prior experience with Allergan's Refresh Plus drops among 316 patients with dry eye. Of these 316 patients, 157 patients who received the Optive drop showed a statistically significant improvement in dry eye symptoms when compared with their prior experience with the Refresh Plus drops.

In addition, a 90-day trial that enrolled 228 post-LASIK patients demonstrated that patients who received Optive drops experienced less ocular surface staining at 2 weeks postop compared with patients who used Refresh Plus. These patients also reported a statistically significant improvement of dry eye symptoms, the release said.

The drop is available in single use vials.