Effect of topical ophthalmic epinastine and olopatadine on tear volume in mice.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of topical epinastine and olopatadine on tear volume by using a mouse model.


METHODS
Eighty-five C57BL6 mice (170 eyes) were treated twice daily with topical ophthalmic epinastine 0.05%, olopatadine 0.1%, or atropine 1% or served as untreated controls. A thread-wetting assay was used to measure tear volume at baseline and 15, 45, 90, 120, and 240 minutes after the last instillation of the drug on days 2 and 4 of treatment.


RESULTS
After 2 days of treatment, epinastine-treated mice showed greater mean tear volumes than olopatadine-treated mice did at 15, 45, 90, and 240 minutes, with statistical significance at 15 and 45 minutes (P<0.001). Olopatadine significantly reduced tear volume versus untreated controls at 15 and 45 minutes (P<0.001). After 4 days, tear volumes with epinastine treatment exceeded those with olopatadine treatment at all time points, with statistical significance at 45 minutes (P<0.05). Atropine rendered tears undetectable at 15, 45, and 90 minutes; tear volume returned to baseline levels at 240 minutes.


CONCLUSIONS
Topical epinastine did not inhibit tear secretion, whereas olopatadine caused a significant decrease in tear volume. Because of its neutral impact on the lacrimal functional unit, epinastine may be an especially good choice for the treatment of allergic conjunctivitis in patients with dry eye disease or in those who are at risk for developing dry eye.
Villareal
Arturo L
AL
Ocular Surface Center, Department of Ophthalmology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
Farley
William
W
Pflugfelder
Stephen C
SC
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000818:Animals; D003233:Conjunctivitis, Allergic / Q000188:drug therapy; D003984:Dibenzazepines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003990:Dibenzoxepins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D039563:Histamine H1 Antagonists, Non-Sedating / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007765:Lacrimal Apparatus / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D000069605:Olopatadine Hydrochloride; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions / Q000008:administration & dosage; D013666:Tears / Q000378:metabolism*
D003984:Dibenzazepines; D003990:Dibenzoxepins; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists; D039563:Histamine H1 Antagonists, Non-Sedating; D007093:Imidazoles; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D000069605:Olopatadine Hydrochloride; C053090:epinastine