Management of Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Patients with Symptomatic Dry Eye Disease Treated with a Preservative-Free Ophthalmic Emulsion Combining Alpha-Lipoic Acid and High Molecular Weight Sodium Hyaluronate
摘要
This study aimed to explore the beneficial effect of a preservative-free (PF) emulsion eyedrop combining high molecular weight sodium hyaluronate (HMW-HA) and alpha-lipoic acid on oxidative stress and ocular surface inflammation in patients with dry eye disease (DED).
MethodsIn this prospective exploratory study, patients with moderate to severe DED symptoms were treated with the study eyedrop, 4–6 times/day for 1 month. Two visits were scheduled: baseline (D0) and after 35 days (D35). The following parameters were assessed: quality of life (OSDI score); superoxide dismutase (SODase) concentration in tears; goblet cell (GC) density (impression cytology); conjunctival hyperemia (Efron scale); corneal, conjunctival, and eyelid staining (Oxford scale); and meibomian gland (MG) blockage. Data were compared between D0 and D35 in subgroups of patients with a significant abnormality of the study outcome at baseline.
ResultsForty patients were involved, with a highly significant improvement of OSDI score at D35. The mean concentration of SODase significantly increased by 3.2 and 2.4 times for SODase1 and SODase2 respectively, in patients with deficient SODase at baseline. In patients with abnormal GC density at baseline, GC count increased by five times at D35. Conjunctival hyperemia and corneal staining scores significantly improved in the subpopulation of patients with a baseline grade ≥ 2. Eyelid margin staining was significantly reduced at D35 in patients with significant abnormalities at baseline. A significant reduction of MG obstruction was shown in the lower eyelid in patients with significant blockage at baseline.
ConclusionThe use of a PF ophthalmic emulsion combining alpha-lipoic acid and HMW-HA shows a beneficial effect on the ocular surface through the improved quality of life score. Noteworthy, patients presenting high oxidative and inflammatory conditions experienced significant improvement in oxidative stress and inflammation markers; this synergic effect is likely due to the well-known properties of alpha-lipoic acid and HMW-HA, enhancing DED management.
Trial RegistrationISRCTN.com identifier, 17861788.