[Comparative investigation of treatments for evaporative dry eye].
BACKGROUND
Evaporative dry eye is the most common form of tear film dysfunction. The present trial aims to evaluate the efficacy of two established treatment options with different modes of action by comparison.


METHODS
216 patients suffering from evaporative dry eye were included in this prospective, randomised two-centre trial. Divided into two treatment groups, patients either received treatment with hyaluronate artificial tears (Vismed light) or a phospholipid-liposome eye spray (Tears Again), each for three months. Tests (lid-parallel conjunctival folds [LIPCOF], non-invasive break-up time [NIBUT], Schirmer's test, inspection of lids and subjective assessment) were performed before as well as 4 and 12 weeks after initiation of this study.


RESULTS
In the patients of the eye spray group there was a significantly greater reduction of the LIPCOF grade (p < 0.02) and the grade of inflammation of the lid margin (p < 0.002). With respect to the tear film break-up time (NIBUT) there was a significant difference between the results of both groups (p < 0.003). The improvement of the break-up time in patients of the eye spray group turned out to be more than twice as high as that in the artificial tears group.


CONCLUSIONS
Both therapies improved evaporative dry eye, but patients on phospholipid-liposomal eye spray demonstrated greater clinical benefit from their therapy, particularly regarding the degree of inflammation of the lid margins as well as the grade of LIPCOF. When compared to hyaluronate artificial tears, NIBUT more than doubled in the phospholipid-liposome eye spray group. Clinical severity of dry eye is more pronounced when evaporative dry eye and aqueous tear deficiency coincide. A combination of the phospholipid-liposome eye spray and artificial tears appears to represent a considerable advancement in tear replacement therapy for severe cases of dry eye.
Khaireddin
R
R
Klinik und Poliklinik für Augenheilkunde, Universitätsklinik Hamburg Eppendorf. dr.khaireddin@gmx.de
Schmidt
K-G
KG
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D015352:Dry Eye Syndromes / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008081:Liposomes; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011446:Prospective Studies
D008081:Liposomes; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D010743:Phospholipids; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid