title: Ophthalmic solutions, the ocular surface, and a unique therapeutic artificial tear formulation.
abstract: In rabbit studies, we found that extended exposure of the ocular surface to existing ophthalmic solutions resulted in gross surface abnormalities and decreases in conjunctival goblet cell density. We developed an electrolyte solution (solution 15) that preserves normal gross appearance, goblet cell density, corneal epithelial glycogen levels, and ocular surface morphologic characteristics after extended exposure to the rabbit ocular surface. We created an artificial tear formulation by adding a demulcent and a buffering system to solution 15 and reducing its osmolarity to 162 mOsm/l. We then compared our artificial tear formulation to Hypotears in a double-masked, crossover study involving 11 patients with dry-eye disorders. Our artificial tear formulation was more effective than Hypotears in decreasing tear film osmolarity and rose bengal staining, and was preferred subjectively by an eight-to-one margin.
authors.affiliation: Cornea Research Unit, Eye Research Institute, Boston, Massachusetts 02114.
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Gilbard
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Rossi
authors.forename: K G
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Heyda
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D002452:Cell Count; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D003315:Cornea / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004848:Epithelium / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D005123:Eye / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D006003:Glycogen / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011817:Rabbits; D013666:Tears
chemical_list: D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D006003:Glycogen