Protecting the Ocular Surface and Improving the Quality of Life of Dry Eye Patients: A Study of the Efficacy of an HP-Guar Containing Ocular Lubricant in a Population of Dry Eye Patients

Purpose To verify the presence of dry eye syndrome (DES) in treated patients with glaucoma and to analyze DES's impact on the patients' quality of life (QOL) versus the control group. Methods In this observational cross-sectional study, 61 patients were enrolled at a clinical practice. Patients were divided into three groups by number of glaucoma drops instilled per day (G1=1 drop/day, G2=2 drops/day, G3=3 drops/day). A control group of 20 subjects was also selected (G0). All subjects were submitted to a complete ocular examination (including tear function and ocular surface status) and completed the 25-item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI-VFQ), Glaucoma Symptom Scale (GSS) questionnaire, and Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI). DES was defined as presence of punctate keratitis and decreased break-up time. Statistical analysis was performed applying the Kruskal-Wallis analysis of variance and Mann-Whitney U tests (to compare median values between groups) as well as the χ2 and Fisher test (to verify significant differences). Results A total of 40% of G3 and 39% of G2 patients presented DES versus 11% of G1 and 5% of G0 (p=0.01). QOL was significantly influenced and altered (NEI-VFQ 25 total mean and GSS total mean and symptoms average: p=0.0085, p=0.006, and p=0.03, respectively). OSDI pointed out differences by group: 26% of G2 and 15% of G3 presented moderate OSDI and 15% of G3 and 8.7% of G2 severe OSDI (p>0.05). Conclusions Patients with topically treated glaucoma present DES more often than a similar control group (p=0.01). The presence of DES negatively influences the patient's QOL. The patients with glaucoma's ocular surface status should be evaluated regularly to ensure the timely detection and treatment of pathologic signs on the ocular surface.

Download Full-text

Profilo farmacologico clinico e farmacoeconomico di un gel oftalmico a base di carbomero 974P e PVA (Siccafluid®) nella terapia della cheratocongiuntivite secca

Farmeconomia Health economics and therapeutic pathways ◽

10.7175/fe.v6i3.834 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 6 (3) ◽

pp. 185-196

Author(s):

Lorenzo Pradelli ◽

Letizia Vacchini

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Dry Eye ◽

Ocular Surface ◽

Tear Film ◽

Dry Eye Syndrome ◽

Lubricating Film ◽

Tear Production ◽

Ocular Discomfort ◽

Ophthalmic Solutions

BACKGROUND: The dry eye sindrome refers to a group of disorders of the tear film due to reduced tear production or excessive tear evaporation that is associated with symptoms of ocular discomfort and may cause disease of the ocular surface. Dry eye syndrome varies in severity, duration and etiology. The cornerstone of dry eye syndrome therapies includes the intraocular gel or ophthalmic solutions instillation, reaching correct artificial lubrication. Molecules that can produce a stable lubricating film are the carbomers. METHODS: In the first step of our work we reviewed the data from literature reporting about carbomers’ characteristics in respect to other lacrimal substitutes. Then, a pharmacoeconomical analysis has been performed on ophtalmic gels derived from carbomers 974P and PVA. RESULTS: Dry eye sindrome, if not adequately treated, determines a deterioration of the patient’s quality of life, other than high secondary costs. CONCLUSION: The high therapeutical index of carbomers 974P and PVA-based gels, in addition to the their limited cost (totally free for Sjögren patients in Italy), suggests that this product is characterized by one of the best benefits-to-costs ratios in the treatment of dry eye sindrome.

Download Full-text

Ocular Surface Disease in Sjögren's Syndrome: Management in a Scleral Lens Clinical Practice

Journal of Contact lens Research and Science ◽

10.22374/jclrs.v4i1.36 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (1) ◽

pp. e12-e22

Author(s):

Daddi Fadel ◽

Melissa Barnett

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Sjögren’S Syndrome ◽

Dry Eye ◽

Ocular Surface ◽

Sjögren's Syndrome ◽

Sjogren’S Syndrome ◽

Sjogren's Syndrome ◽

Autologous Serum ◽

Sjögren‘S Syndrome

Sjögren’s syndrome is a chronic, autoimmune, systemic disease characterized by lymphocytic infiltration and malfunction of the exocrine glands, primarily the lacrimal and salivary glands, resulting in predominant symptoms of dry eye and dry mouth. Sjögren’s syndrome is a highly prevalent condition and is one of the most common systemic, rheumatic, autoimmune diseases, affecting up to 1.4% of adults in the United States, second only to rheumatoid arthritis in its prevalence in North America. Primary Sjögren’s syndrome has shown to affect patients’ health-related quality-of-life due to dryness, chronic pain, depression, anxiety,physical and mental fatigue, and neuropsychiatric symptoms. Scleral lenses (SLs) have shown to be significantly beneficial in relieving symptoms and improvingquality-of-life in patients with Sjögren’s syndrome and dry eye disease. SLs may be used concurrently with the other therapies including ocular lubricants, eyelid hygiene, punctal occlusion, topical prescription medications, and autologous serum. This manuscript reviews the implication of Sjögren’s syndrome on the ocular surface and quality-of-life and describes how SLs, in combination with other treatments, may be beneficial.

Download Full-text

The Functional State of Meibomian Glands and Tear Production in Pregnant Women

Ophthalmology in Russia ◽

10.18008/1816-5095-2018-2-151-159 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 15 (2) ◽

pp. 151-159

Author(s):

V. N. Trubilin ◽

E. G. Poluninа ◽

D. V. Andzhelova ◽

Yu. V. Evstigneeva ◽

K. V. Chinenova

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Functional State ◽

Dry Eye ◽

Ocular Surface ◽

Contact Lenses ◽

Dry Eye Syndrome ◽

Symptom Complex ◽

Meibomian Glands

Pregnant women are objects of special medical attention due to the fact that the new life — the life of her child — depends on the health and quality of life of the future mother. Pregnancy is a physiological load. It makes temporary changes in the functional state of all organs and systems, including the organ of vision. This study was aimed at identifying risk factors for the occurrence of disturbances in the tear-producing system — dysfunction of the Meibomian glands and/or dry eye syndrome (SSH), as well as to develop recommendations for compensating of disturbance. The study showed that physiological pregnancy does not affect to the condition of the ocular surface in case of absence of dry eye syndrome manifestations and Meibomian gland dysfunction before pregnancy. However, there is a predisposition for the development of the symptom complex of dry eye syndrome — a reliable decrease Schirmer test indicators of the test of in the group of pregnant women, it requires preventive control, — reduction in the mode of wearing contact lenses, which are a risk factor for the development of dry eye syndrome. It was determined that in vitro fertilization (IVF) affects to the condition of the ocular surface, namely, on the occurrence of dysfunction of Meibomian glands and dry eye syndrome, and is accompanied by corresponding complaints. There is a direct correlation between the duration of gestation, age indicators, the severity of complaints and their relationship to pregnancy. A direct was established, with a noticeable tightness of communication, between taking thyrotrophic drugs and complaints on dryness and discomfort. Therefore, special attention should be given to pregnant patients taking thyrotrophic medications and using contact lenses, since both of these factors provoke the development of the dry eye symptom complex. Patients with IVF pregnancy and accompanied by taking thyrotrophic drugs are recommended to limit the mode of wearing contact lenses, in case of complaints on dryness, discomfort, it is necessary to conduct therapeutic and prophylactic effects in the form of non-conserved tear-replacement therapy and eyelid hygiene. Timely diagnosis and subsequent prevention of Meibomian glands and dry eye syndrome in pregnant women will improve the quality of life of this patients group and prevent the development of complications related to this condition.

Download Full-text

Effect of changing from preserved prostaglandins to preservative-free tafluprost in patients with glaucoma on tear film thickness

European Journal of Ophthalmology ◽

10.1177/1120672117753703 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 28 (4) ◽

pp. 385-392 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Anton Hommer ◽

Doreen Schmidl ◽

Martina Kromus ◽

Ahmed M Bata ◽

Klemens Fondi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Film Thickness ◽

Dry Eye ◽

Ocular Surface ◽

Tear Film ◽

Eye Drops ◽

Life Score ◽

Related Quality ◽

Preservative Free

Purpose: Long-term glaucoma therapy with preservative-containing eye drops may impact ocular surface health. This study was performed to investigate whether a switch from preserved topical prostaglandin therapy to preservative-free tafluprost therapy improves precorneal tear film thickness in patients with glaucoma or ocular hypertension. Methods: A total of 30 patients who were under topical preservative-containing prostaglandin monotherapy for at least 6 months were included. Patients were then switched from preserved prostaglandin therapy to unpreserved tafluprost drops once daily. Tear film thickness was measured at baseline and 4 and 12 weeks after therapy change with an ultrahigh-resolution optical coherence tomography system. Furthermore, clinical measures of ocular surface disease were determined and symptoms were assessed using the Dry Eye–Related Quality-of-Life Score. Results: After switching to unpreserved tafluprost, tear film thickness significantly increased from 4.7 ± 0.5 to 5.0 ± 0.6 µm 4 weeks after therapy change and still tended to be increased after 12 weeks (4.8 ± 0.7 µm). Breakup time significantly increased from 5.1 ± 2.3 to 7.2 ± 3.4 s and to 10.1 ± 3.6 s after therapy change. In addition, a significant decrease in corneal staining score from 1.8 ± 0.7 to 1.4 ± 0.8 after 4 weeks and to 0.7 ± 0.7 after 12 weeks treatment was observed. Switching to preservative-free drops reduced Dry Eye–Related Quality-of-Life Score from 11.4 ± 11.0 to 5.7 ± 6.4 and to 4.7 ± 7.5. Conclusion: Our data show that switching to preservative-free tafluprost leads to an increase in tear film thickness, breakup time, and an improvement of Dry Eye–Related Quality-of-Life Score. Our results therefore indicate that a switch to unpreserved tafluprost is beneficial for ocular surface health in patients under long-term preserved prostaglandin eye drops.

Download Full-text

Oral and ocular late effects in head and neck cancer patients treated with radiotherapy

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-83635-w ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Kristine Løken Westgaard ◽

Håvard Hynne ◽

Cecilie Delphin Amdal ◽

Alix Young ◽

Preet Bano Singh ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Head And Neck Cancer ◽

Oral Health ◽

Head And Neck ◽

Dry Eye ◽

Late Effects ◽

Ocular Surface ◽

Oral Dryness

AbstractA broader understanding of oral and ocular late effects in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients who underwent intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) may provide valuable information in follow-up and improve quality of life. Twenty-nine HNC patients treated at least 6 months earlier and 30 age-matched controls were recruited. After completing several questionnaires: Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14), Shortened Xerostomia Inventory (SXI), Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) and McMonnies Dry Eye questionnaire (MDEQ), participants underwent oral and ocular examinations. Oral examination included clinical oral dryness score (CODS) and secretion rates of unstimulated and stimulated saliva (UWS, SWS). Ocular examination included tear film break-up time, Schirmer test and ocular surface staining. The patients had more problems related to dry mouth than controls based on CODS and SXI, and more complaints of dry eye disease based on OSDI and MDEQ. UWS and SWS rates and oral health related quality of life were significantly lower in the patient group. Subjective oral dryness (SXI) correlated significantly with subjective ocular dryness (OSDI and MDEQ). Our study demonstrates that HNC patients treated with IMRT experience late effects in terms of xerostomia and ocular dryness underlining the importance of interdisciplinary approach in the evaluation and follow-up of HNC patients.

Download Full-text

Quality of Life and Visual Acuity of Visglyc Eye Drops on Dry Eye Patients

Case Medical Research ◽

10.31525/ct1-nct04063644 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Visual Acuity ◽

Dry Eye ◽

Eye Drops

Download Full-text

Topical TRPM8 Agonist for Relieving Neuropathic Ocular Pain in Patients with Dry Eye: A Pilot Study

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm10020250 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (2) ◽

pp. 250

Author(s):

Hyeon Jeong Yoon ◽

Jonghwa Kim ◽

Jee Myung Yang ◽

Edward T. Wei ◽

Seong Jin Kim ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Pilot Study ◽

Pain Intensity ◽

Dry Eye ◽

Associated Factors ◽

Treatment Result ◽

Ocular Pain ◽

Eye Pain ◽

Validated Questionnaire

Background: Activation of TRPM8, a cold-sensing receptor located on the cornea and eyelid, has the potential to relieve the neuropathic ocular pain (NOP) in dry eye (DE) by inhibiting other aberrant nociceptive inputs. We aimed to investigate the effect of a topical TRPM8 agonist, cryosim-3 (C3), on relieving DE-associated NOP. Methods: We conducted a prospective pilot study of 15 patients with DE-associated NOP. These patients applied topical C3 to their eyelid, 4 times/day for 1 month. The patients underwent clinical examinations. They also completed the Ocular Pain Assessment Survey (OPAS), which is a validated questionnaire for NOP, at baseline, 1 week, and 1 month after treatment. Result: At 1 week, the OPAS scores of eye pain intensity, quality of life (driving/watching TV, general activity, sleep, and enjoying life/relations with other people), and associated factors (burning sensation, light sensitivity, and tearing) improved. The total OPAS scores of eye pain intensity, quality of life, and associated factors remained improved at 1 month. The Schirmer test scores also improved at 1 month. Conclusion: TRPM8 agonist (C3) could be a novel agent for treating patients with DE-associated NOP who are unresponsive to conventional treatments.

Download Full-text

Dry eye researchers and their publications in Asia and Europe

Asian Journal of Ophthalmology ◽

10.35119/asjoo.v14i4.153 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 14 (4) ◽

Author(s):

Yuan Yuh Leong ◽

Louis Tong

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Quality Of Life ◽

Dry Eye ◽

Health Issue ◽

Public Health Issue ◽

Scientific Journals ◽

Major Public Health Issue

Dry eye, a visually disabling disease that has been reported to be a major public health issue in many countries, is known to induce a significant decrease in quality of life. In this report, we aim to compile information on the investigators of dry eye that published most frequently in peer reviewed scientific journals and the publications in Asia and Europe.

Download Full-text