title: Comparative analysis of carmellose 0.5% versus hyaluronate 0.15% in dry eye: a flow cytometric study.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Hospital Clinico San Carlos, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Miguel Angel
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Sanchez
authors.forename: Pilar
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Torralbo-Jimenez
authors.forename: Natalia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Giron
authors.forename: Beatriz
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: de la Heras
authors.forename: Rocio
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Herrero Vanrell
authors.forename: Pedro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Arriola-Villalobos
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Diaz-Valle
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alvarez-Barrientos
authors.forename: Jose M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Benitez-Del-Castillo
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: 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