A study to assess the efficacy of topical cyclosporine A 0.05% in the management of dry eye with meibomiam gland dysfunction

: Dry eye is a multifactorial disease of the tears and ocular surface that results in symptoms of discomfort, visual disturbance, and tear film instability with potential damage to the ocular surface. It is accompanied by increased osmolarity of the tear film and inflammation of the ocular surface. Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD) is an abnormality of the meibomian gland that blocks the secretion of lipids. Without sufficient lipid production, tears evaporate quickly causing Dry Eye.MGD is associated with multiple pathological mechanisms including inflammation, microbial factors and lipid deficiencies. Topical Cyclosporine A (CsA) 0.05% is a calcineurin inhibitor that reduces inflammation by specifically inhibiting T‑cell activity, which reduces ocular surface inflammation and improves tear film dynamics. This was a prospective observational study done on 100 patients at the Department of Ophthalmology Basaveshwar teaching and general hospital, on patients of dry eyes due to meibomian gland dysfunction. Patients who were diagnosed with dry eyes due to meibomian gland dysfunction were invited to take part in the study. Patients were divided randomly into two groups of 50 patients each. This study, was explained in detail to them. An informed consent was obtained. Patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria were listed.All OSDI scores (symptom intensity, frequency and aggravation) revealed decreasing patterns throughout the observation period in both the groups. In single analysis, the cyclosporine A 0.05% group showed a significant improvement for each score at 3 months (p < 0.01, p = 0.01, p = 0.02, respectively). The mean TBUT after treatment in the group A (cyclosporine A group) increased to 12.36± 3.58(p<0.001) seconds, and in the group B (Control group) the TBUT score increased to 11.01±3.06 seconds. After 3 Months, there was statistically significant improvement in the mean Schirmer’s scores in both the treatment groups, however improvement was significantly greater in Cyclosporine A group. Prior to the treatment in group A (Cyclosporine A) mean Lissamine staining score was 2.73±0.15 and post treatment it reduced to 1.32±0.15 which was statistically significant (P<0.001). In group B (Control group) score before treatment was 2.46±0.15 and after treatment it reduced to 2.39±0.27 (p=0.11), not much difference was seen. : Findings from our study showed that there were significant improvements in the dry eye conditions due to defect in meibomian gland by treatment of topical Cyclosporine A 0.05% and sodium hyaluronate 0.1%.

A clinical study of correlation between pterygium and dry eye

To study the clinical correlation between pterygium and dry eye and to evaluate the status of tear film in patients with pterygium.100 eyes with pterygium were compared with 100 control eyes without pterygium. Patients between 20–70 years were included in the study. Detailed history was taken and Schirmer’s test and TBUT were performed on all to evaluate the status of dry eye. Schirmer’s test ˂10 mm and TBUT ˂10 seconds was considered abnormal. Maximum number (52) of patients affected with dry eye in both the groups were in the age group 31-40 years which statistically showed age as a significant factor of association for both pterygium and dry eye (P<0.01). Schirmer’s test was slightly reduced in patients with pterygium(18.73±5.69 mm). TBUT was significantly reduced in the case group (12.26±2.24sec). TBUT decreased maximally in 51-60 yrs age group (13.00±2.77sec) with pterygium showing a tear film unstability. On comparison of pterygia and controls with normal and abnormal tear film, Odd’s Ratio was 1.14 showing risk of dry eye in pterygia patients to be 1.14 times higher than controls. A close relationship exists between ocular irritation symptoms and functional evidence of tear instability. Schirmer’s test and TBUT should routinely be used in the outpatient department to diagnose dry eye in patients with pterygium and these patients should be promptly treated to prevent any sight threatening complications.

Ocular associations in hyperlipidaemia: A rural hospital based study

The incidence of hypercholesterolemia is ever increasing as the co morbid conditions such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, stressful life is on a rise. Ocular conditions associated with hypercholesterolemia are issues which are minimally discussed. : This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2019 to June 2019. Complete eye examination was performed including visual acuity examination, refraction, tear film evaluation, slit lamp examination, measurement of intraocular pressure using rebound tonometer, gonioscopy, direct and indirect ophthalmoscopy Total of 81 patients were examined, out of which males were 55, females were 26. Most common ocular finding was Xanthoma and Xanthelasma in 61(70%) patients. Arcus juvenalis was noted in 12 (14.63%), Lipid keratopathy in 23(29.26%). Other comorbidities associated were Hypertensive Retinopathy, diabetic retinopathy, Pre senile cataract, Primary open angle Glaucoma, Branch retinal vein occlusion which has indirect causal relationship. Along with systemic workup, Hypercholesterolemia also warrants a routine detailed ocular examination even if the patient is asymptomatic. This aids in early diagnosis and management of the co-existing ocular morbidities.

Benefits and Safety of Astaxanthin in the Treatment of Mild-To-Moderate Dry Eye Disease

Objectives: To evaluate the effect of astaxanthin in the treatment of mild-to-moderate dry eye disease (DED) in middle-aged and elderly patients.Methods: 120 eyes of 60 middle-aged and elderly patients with mild-to-moderate DED were enrolled in this prospective, one-group, quasi-experimental study. Six milligram Astaxanthin tablets (Weihong Haematococcus Pluvialis Astaxanthin, Hangzhou Xinwei Low Carbon Technology R&D Co., Ltd., China) were administered orally, twice daily for 30 ± 2 days. History of eye diseases, treatment, systemic disease, and medication before the test were recorded. In addition, the ocular surface disease index (OSDI) questionnaire, non-invasive tear break-up time (NIBUT), fluorescein break-up time (FBUT), corneal fluorescein staining (CFS) score, eyelid margin signs, meibomian gland (MG) expressibility, meibum quality, meibomian gland dropout (MGDR), Schirmer I test (SIt), tear meniscus height (TMH), bulbar conjunctiva congestion degree, blink frequency, incomplete blink rate, and thickness of tear film lipid layer were collected before treatment, 2 weeks after the initiation of treatment, and at the end of treatment. Visual acuity (VA), intraocular pressure (IOP), anterior segment, fundus, discomfort symptoms and other adverse reactions were also monitored throughout the study to assess the safety.Results: OSDI score, NIBUT, BUT, CFS score, eyelid margin signs, MG expressibility, meibum quality, and blink frequency improved significantly to varying degrees after treatment compared with those before the treatment (P < 0.05), while TMH, SIt, conjunctival congestion, the thickness of tear film lipid layer, MGDR, incomplete blink rate, VA and IOP did not differ (P > 0.05).Conclusions: Oral administration of astaxanthin improves the symptoms and signs of middle-aged and elderly patients with mild-to-moderate DED.

Does the Conjunctivochalasis Accompanied by Pseudoexfoliation Syndrome Affect the Ocular Surface and Anterior Segment Structures?

Purpose: Probability of coexistence of conjunctivochalasis and pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PES) in same individual may increase with aging. We investigated effects of conjunctivochalasis accompanied by PES on ocular surface (OS) and anterior segment (AS) structures.Methods: Cases with only conjunctivochalasis were determined as group-1 (n=62), cases with conjunctivochalasis accompanied by PES as group-2 (n=45), and healthy cases as group-3 (n=56). OS and AS parameters of groups were compared.Results: Compared to group-1, group-2 had higher grade-3 conjunctivochalasis (17.7% vs 46.7%, p=0.039), greater mean grade of conjunctivochalasis (MGC) (1.72±0.24 vs 2.29±0.32, p=0.036), higher total conjunctivochalasis score (TCS) (4.27±1.13 vs 6.12±1.35, p=0.025), shorter tear-film break-up time (TBUT) (9.17±2.53 vs 5.41±1.32, p=0.010), greater OS disease index (OSDI)-score (16.28±3.15 vs 27.36±4.12, p=0.037). Compared to group-3, both group-1 and group-2 had shorter TBUT (group 3-1: p=0.004; group 3-2: p<0.001) and greater OSDI score (group 3-1: p=0.042; group 3-2: p=0.019). Schirmer tests, central corneal thicknesses, keratometries, axial lengths, anterior chamber depths and lens thicknesses of groups were similar (p>0.05). In group-1 and group-2, as age increased, both MGC (r=0.349, p=0.043; r=0.403, p=0.022, respectively) and TCS (r=0.322, p=0.046; r=0.372, p=0.031) increased. In group-2, as both MGC and TCS increased, TBUT (r=-0.370, p=0.034; r=-0.401, p=0.025) decreased and OSDI score (r=0.338, p=0.045; r=0.362, p=0.040) increased.Conclusions: To our knowledge, this was the first study comprehensively investigating effects of conjunctivochalasis accompanied by PES on OS and AS structures together. We found that conjunctivochalasis might cause OS disease, while presence of PES in conjunctivochalasis cases might worsen OS disease and conjunctivochalasis findings.

Effects of aerobic exercise on tear secretion and tear film stability in dry eye patients

Background To study the effects of aerobic exercise (AE) on tear secretion and tear film stability in dry eye patients. Methods This study consisted of two parts, each part included 3 groups, namely dry eye without AE group, dry eye with AE group and pre-clinical dry eye with AE group. In part 1, we studied the variations of Schirmer I test and six tear compositions before and after AE (34 eyes in each group). In part 2, we studied the variations of tear meniscus height, first and average non-invasive tear breakup time (F-NITBUT and A-NITBUT), lipid layer thickness, number of incomplete and complete blinks, partial blink rate (PBR) and visual acuity before and after AE (30 eyes in each group). Results In dry eye with AE group, Schirmer I test at 0 min after AE increased significantly compared to baseline (P < 0.001), the oxidative stress marker 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine after AE decreased significantly compared to baseline (P = 0.035, P = 0.045), F-NITBUT and A-NITBUT after AE prolonged significantly compared to baseline (P < 0.001, P = 0.007, P = 0.036; P < 0.001, P = 0.001, P = 0.044), number of incomplete blinks and PBR at 10 min after AE decreased significantly compared to baseline (P < 0.001; P < 0.001) while number of complete blinks increased significantly (P < 0.001). Besides, significant differences were also found between dry eye with AE group and dry eye without AE group at all above corresponding time point (P < 0.05). Conclusion AE promotes tear secretion and improves tear film stability in dry eye patients. AE may be a potential treatment for dry eye. Trial registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR2000038673. Registered 27 September 2020,

Analysis of the first tear film break-up point in Sjögren’s syndrome and non-Sjögren’s syndrome dry eye patients

Background Tear film instability plays an important role in the course of Sjögren’s Syndrome dry eye (SSDE) even though it is generally classified as aqueous-deficient dry eye. The measurement of the first tear film break-up point (FTBUP) helps to evaluate the most unstable position of the tear film on ocular surface. We aim to investigate FTBUP in Sjögren’s Syndrome dry eye (SSDE) and non-Sjögren’s Syndrome dry eye (NSSDE) patients, and explore its correlation with dry eye indices. Methods Twenty-two SSDE patients (44 eyes) and 22 NSSDE patients (44 eyes) were enrolled in the study. Oculus Keratograph K5M was used to measure FTBUP, the first and average non-invasive keratographic breakup time (f-NIKBUT and av-NIKBUT), the tear meniscus height, and meibomian gland dropout. Other tests of tear film were also performed including Ocular Surface Dryness Index (OSDI), Schirmer I test, fluorescein break-up time and corneal fluorescein staining. Dry eye indices and the locations of the FTBUP were compared between SSDE and NSSDE patients. Generalized estimating equation (GEE) was used to ajusted the correlations between right and left eyes. The correlations between the FTBUP and ocular symptoms and signs were investigated using Pearson’s correlation coefficient test. Results The FTBUP occurred at the supranasal quadrant in 12/88 eyes, supratemporal quadrant in 8/88 eyes, inferonasal quadrant in 34/88 eyes, and inferotemporal quadrant in 34/88 eyes. The percentage eyes with inferior FTBUP was significantly higher in the SSDE than in the NSSDE subjects (86.3% vs 68.1%, P = .049). Moreover, in SSDE subjects, temporal breakup point was seen more often in those who presented corneal fluorescein staining in any location, while nasal breakup point was more frequent in those who did not present any corneal fluorescein staining (P = .045). Conclusion The location of the FTBUP in SSDE patients had specific characteristics. However, the diagnostic potential of FTBUP in early recognition of SSDE needs further validation.

The effect of phenylephrine hydrochloride 2.5 % and sodium hyaluronate solution on visual functions and accommodation in children with myopia and its local tolerability

Purpose: to evaluate visual functions, accommodation, and local tolerance in children instilled with Phenylephrine hydrochloride 2.5 % and sodium hyaluronate solution (Stelphrin Supra). Material and methods. 30 children (60 eyes) aged 8 to 12 (ave. 10.04 ± 0.24) with low (28 eyes) and moderate (32 eyes) myopia (ave. -2.96 ± 0.17 D) were tested. Refractometry, subjective and objective accommodation, optical biometry, anterior corneal surface examination, Norn test, and polling were performed prior to one-time instillation, 30 minutes after it, and after 1 month of daily bedtime instillations of Stelphrin Supra. Results. We noted a significant decrease in the tone of accommodation in the open field by 90 % from the initial value, an approximation of the nearest point of clear vision by 27 %, an increase in the volume of absolute accommodation by 57 % and the objective amplitude of accommodation by 20 %, which indicates an increase in the accommodation ability. The pupil width increased 30 minutes after a single instillation of Stelphrin Supra, which coincided with an increase in the relative accommodation reserve by 25 % from the initial one. After a month, the pupil width significantly decreased, and the positive relative accommodation reserve decreased to a level only 12 % higher than the original one. Tear film break time significantly increased by 0.89 sec, singular spot stainings disappeared in 2 out of 6 patients, lacrimation — in 6 out of 10, pain — in 1 out of 2, blurring in 4 out of 6, feeling of “sand” — in 7 out of 9 patients who had these symptoms before instillations. Conclusion. Regular instillations of Stelphrin Supra reduce the habitual tone of accommodation, increase the accommodation ability, and improve the condition of the eye surface.