Head-to-head dry eye study

New research from the UK shows that Optive^TM eye drops have a significantly better effect on conjunctival tissues of patients with mild to moderate dry eye compared with Hylocomod (Na-Hyaluronate) eyedrops¹, according to a company media statement. Due to the chronic nature of dry eye, tissue recovery could be considered essential to achieving long-term success. The prevalence of people reporting dry eye symptoms is between 5–30% in the population aged 50 years and older.

About the head-to-head studyA broad group of patients with mild to moderate dry eye were randomised to receive either Optive^TM from Allergan or Na-Hyaluronate once daily for one month. Nearly 50 patients were included in this study. Using fluorescein and lissamine green staining, differences in the conjunctival tissue were evaluated as staining is indicative of ocular surface desiccation and damage. At one month, OPTIVE^TM patients showed significantly less lissamine staining (p=0.002) compared with patients treated with Na-HyaluronateThese results indicate that Optive^TM is significantly superior to Na-Hyaluronate in stimulating conjunctival tissue recoveryCompliance with both eyedrops was similar indicating that the improvements seen in the Optive^TM patient group is likely due to treatment effects

Results from a recent large observational study² involving more than 5000 patients show that patients switched from Na-Hyaluronate to Optive^TM have improved quality (using TBUT test) and quantity (using Schirmer 1 tests) of tears. In this open label study, 69% of patients experienced improvement in their dry-eye symptoms following the switch from Na-Hyaluronate to Optive^TM and 80% of patients reported greater comfort following the switch to Optive^TM eyedrops.

References1. Guillion M, Maissa C, Ho C. Evaluation of the effects on conjunctival tissuesof Optive eye-drops over one month usage. Contact Lens and Anterior Eye, 33 (2); 2010: 93-992. Kaecher T, Buccholz P, Kimmich F. Clin Ophthalmol 2009; 3: 33-39