title: Efficacy of 3 different artificial tears for the treatment of dry eye in frequent computer users and/or contact lens users.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the efficacy of 3 different artificial tears (AT) acting primarily in one of the 3 tear film layers (Tears Again®, lipidic; Opticol®, aqueous; Optive®, mucin) in recovering the tear film changes in patients with dry eye symptoms due to external causes.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 27 patients, with dry eye symptoms associated with extra hours of computer or contact lenses use, were randomized to 4 treatment groups: A received Tears Again®; B received Optive®; C received Opticol®; D received no treatment (control). Patients were observed in 3 visits: day 0, day 7, and day 30. Tear break-up time (TBUT) and Schirmer tests and the Ocular Surface Disease Index were performed. Data analysis was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no significant differences between the groups. From day 0 to day 30, there was a decrease in the number of eyes with abnormal TBUT (not significant) and Schirmer (significant in A, B, D; p<0.031). There was an increase in the average TBUT for all groups (significant in A, C; p<0.001) and a decrease in the average Schirmer value in groups B, C, and D (not significant) and an increase in group A (p = 0.002). There was a decrease in the average Ocular Surface Disease Index value in all groups (p<0.045).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  All AT were efficient at recovering the tear film, but those acting primarily on the internal and intermediate layer led to a mild decline on lachrymal production. An association of different kinds of AT acting on each layer can be the best treatment for corneal surface diseases affecting eye lubrication.
authors.affiliation: Ophthalmology Department, Centro Hospitalar de Entre o Douro e Vouga, Unidade de Santa Maria da Feira, Santa Maria da Feira, Portugal. gilfilipesantos@gmail.com
authors.forename: Gil
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Calvão-Santos
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Borges
authors.forename: Sandrina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nunes
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Salgado-Borges
authors.forename: Lilianne
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Duarte
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003199:Computer Systems; D003261:Contact Lenses / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015352:Dry Eye Syndromes / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013666:Tears / Q000378:metabolism*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions