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Dry Eyes Improve With Hydroxypropyl Cellulose Ophthalmic Inserts: Presented at ARVO By Ed Susman FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla -- May 11, 2009 -- The use of tiny inserts that are tucked into the corner of the eye -- a task that is quickly mastered by patients -- appeared to markedly reduce symptoms of dry eyes, said researchers here at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) 2009 Annual Meeting on May 6. "Hydroxypropyl cellulose ophthalmic inserts significantly reduced symptoms and clinical signals of moderate to severe dry eye syndrome," said Bruce H. Koffler, MD, Koffler Vision Group and University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky. "Patients experienced a statistically significant improvement in quality of life as evidenced by a 21.3% improvement in the ocular surface disease index." Dr. Koffler said that treatment with the inserts gave across-the-board benefits to the 418 (of 520 enrolled) patients who completed the multicentre, open-label study of the devices. Most of the patients enrolled in the study were women (~64.8%); about 55% of the patients were aged >50 years. In the United States, about 5 million individuals aged >50 years experience dry eye syndrome, which makes reading, watching television, and working at a computer difficult. Dry eye syndrome may also affect leisure time and social interactions. Patients were instructed about how to use the inserts on their first office visit and were telephoned the next day to check on side effects and for further instructions, if necessary. The patients were then assessed at a second office visit 28 days later. "They reported significant improvement in discomfort, burning, dryness, grittiness, stinging, and light sensitivity," he said. "Significant improvement in clinical signs -- keratitis, conjunctival staining, and tear volume were also reported." Dr. Koffler said that total scores on the mean ocular surface disease index significantly improved by >5%, declining from 41.8 at visit 1 to 32.9 at visit 2 (P < .0215). Treatment with the inserts was associated with significant improvement in mean occurrence of discomfort in heated areas (P < .0001) and significant improvement when performing housework (P = .0018). Patients reported significant reductions in mean severity of dry eye syndrome symptoms (P < .0001). The most common adverse event associated with the inserts leading to discontinuation was blurred vision, a factor that can be countered by cutting the inserts in half or reducing dosing. "While incidence of blurred vision increased in this analysis, patients reported significant improvement in activities of daily living that require a high level of visual acuity, including driving at night," Dr. Koffler said. The study was supported by Aton Pharma. [Presentation title: Lacrisert (Hydroxypropyl Cellulose Ophthalmic Insert) Significantly Improves Symptoms of Dry Eye Syndrome and Patient Quality of Life. Abstract 4660- D904] E-mail this page to a friend or colleague! To print, use this version