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Isotonic glycerol-sodium hyaluronate drops relieve symptoms of Sjögren’s-related dry eye
Three-month use of an eye drop containing isotonic glycerol and 0.015% sodium hyaluronate resulted in a significant improvement in dry eye symptoms in patients with Sjögren’s syndrome-related dry eye, without the need for traditional anti-inflammatory agents and without significant improvement in the basal tear secretion.
Twenty-one adult patients, 18 women and three men, with a mean age of 60.4 years, were enrolled.
Study inclusion criteria was as follows: lid parallel conjunctival folds (LIPCOF) at least grade 1, lissamine green staining attaining at least grade 1, higher on the Oxford Scheme grade, decreased basal tear secretion with topical anesthesia of 5 mm/minute or less, moderate or severe subjective symptoms with an Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) score of at least 23, and former diagnosis of Sjögren’s disease.
None of the patients received general prolonged immunomodulation therapy.
Patients were instructed to apply the Conheal eye drops (Pannonpharma Ltd., Pecsvarad, Hungary), which contain isotonic glycerol and 0.015% hyaluronic acid in purified water, on both eyes four times a day for 3 months. Follow-up occurred at 1 and 3 months.
Conjunctivochalasis, measured in LIPCOF degrees, was significantly decreased in both eyes after 1 and 3 months of the treatment. The researchers reported that the most prominent change was detected in the eye surface staining via the Oxford Scheme grade and was significant after 1 and 3 months of treatment. Basal tear secretion did not change significantly during the study period.
The subjective symptoms of the dry eye, measured by the OSDI questionnaire, decreased significantly after 1 and 3 months use of the study drug. The most benefit was seen at 3 months compared to the 1-month follow-up.
The researchers report no adverse reactions, and patient compliance was high throughout the entire study.
The researchers wrote that isotonic glycerol-induced decrease of HLA-DR expression may be responsible for the favorable effect in this patient population. – by Abigail Sutton
Disclosure: Pannonpharma Ltd. provided the Conheal artificial tears used in the study.