Comparative analysis of carmellose 0.5% versus hyaluronate 0.15% in dry eye: a flow cytometric study.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the effects of Viscofresh 0.5% (carmellose sodium 0. 5%) versus Lubristil (sodium hyaluronate 0.15%) in dry eye syndrome and to study the influence of these two treatments on the expression of various inflammatory markers by flow cytometry in impression cytology specimens.


METHODS
In this randomized, masked-observer, parallel group, single-center study, 15 patients with dry eye syndrome were randomized to sodium carmellose 0.5% or sodium hyaluronate 0.15% 1-month treatment after a 1-week washout period. Corneal staining with flurescein, breakup time, Schirmer 1 test with anesthesia (Jones test), and tear clearance were assessed. Besides, conjunctival impression cytology was performed to investigate inflammatory markers (CD3, CD11b, and HLA-DR) using flow cytometry.


RESULTS
Carmellose group shows statistical improvement compared with the hyaluronate group in breakup time, corneal staining, and HLA-DR. The two other inflammatory markers had also a tendency for a decreased expression in both groups, with no statistical significance. There were neither visual acuity loss nor other complications related to treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Both artificial tears improve dry eye signs and symptoms and inflammatory markers expression, with significant better results in carmellose group.
Sanchez
Miguel Angel
MA
Department of Ophthalmology, Hospital Clinico San Carlos, Madrid, Spain.
Torralbo-Jimenez
Pilar
P
Giron
Natalia
N
de la Heras
Beatriz
B
Herrero Vanrell
Rocio
R
Arriola-Villalobos
Pedro
P
Diaz-Valle
David
D
Alvarez-Barrientos
Alberto
A
Benitez-Del-Castillo
Jose M
JM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism*; D039481:CD11b Antigen / Q000378:metabolism; D017252:CD3 Complex / Q000378:metabolism; D002266:Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003315:Cornea / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D015352:Dry Eye Syndromes / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D019793:Fluorescein / Q000378:metabolism; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011379:Prognosis; D013194:Staining and Labeling / Q000379:methods; D013666:Tears / Q000737:chemistry
D015415:Biomarkers; D039481:CD11b Antigen; D017252:CD3 Complex; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; C509295:ITGAM protein, human; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid; D002266:Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium; D019793:Fluorescein