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Study finds NovaTears increases tear film, lipid layer thickness
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Researchers reported at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology meeting that a new eye drop containing perfluorohexyloctane improved tear film and lipid layer thickness in patients with mild to moderate dry eye disease.
Gerard Garhöfer, MD, and colleagues randomized 48 patients in this observer-masked parallel group study to receive either NovaTears (Novaliq) or unpreserved 0.9% saline drops four times daily in both eyes for 4 weeks.
Tear film thickness (TFT) was assessed with ultra-high resolution OCT, and lipid layer thickness (LLT) was measured with a white light interferometer at baseline, six times after first instillation and at 2 and 4 weeks, according to the study abstract. Break-up time, fluorescein staining and Ocular Surface Disease Index were also evaluated.
At baseline, TFT and LLT were comparable in the two groups, but the change in TFT was significantly higher with NovaTears in all post-dose measures, the researchers reported. NovaTears temporarily increased TFT after the first dose, but after multiple dosing it gradually increased over time, with maximum effect at the end of the study. The mean difference was 1.29% at day 1, 4.33% at week 2 and 6.42% at week 4.
An increase in LLT was more pronounced for NovaTears than for saline, 13.36% ± 26.33% vs. 3.21% ± 28.65%, according to the abstract. Fluorescein staining, break-up time and OSDI improved in both groups, but not statistically differently.
“Our study shows that the product has the ability to restore the tear film over time,” Garhöfer told Primary Care Optometry News. “These properties are likely due to the novel mode of action of NovaTears – perfluorohexyloctane – preventing evaporation by stabilizing the lipid layer. A treatment with such properties addresses an important medical need for patients with evaporative dry eye disease.” – by Nancy Hemphill, ELS, FAAO
Reference:
Garhöfer G, et al. Influence of perfluorohexyloctane-containing eye drops on tear film thickness in patients with mild to moderate dry eye disease. Presented at: Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology; Honolulu; April 29-May 3, 2018.
Disclosure: Garhöfer reported receiving financial support from Novaliq.