title: A nonrandomized, open-label study to evaluate the effect of nasal stimulation on tear production in subjects with dry eye disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Dry eye disease (DED), a chronic disorder affecting the tear film and lacrimal functional unit, is a widely prevalent condition associated with significant burden and unmet treatment needs. Since specific neural circuits play an important role in maintaining ocular surface health, microelectrical stimulation of these pathways could present a promising new approach to treating DED. This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of nasal electrical stimulation in patients with DED.
  
  
  METHODS
  This prospective, open-label, single-arm, nonrandomized pilot study included 40 patients with mild to severe DED. After undergoing two screening visits, enrolled subjects were provided with a nasal stimulation device and instructed to use it at home four times daily (or more often as needed). Follow-up assessments were conducted up to day 180. The primary efficacy endpoint was the difference between unstimulated and stimulated tear production quantified by Schirmer scores. Additional efficacy endpoints included change from baseline in corneal and conjunctival staining, symptoms evaluated on a Visual Analog Scale, and Ocular Surface Disease Index scores. Safety parameters included adverse event (AE) rates, visual acuity, intraocular pressure, slit-lamp biomicroscopy, indirect ophthalmoscopy, and endoscopic nasal examinations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean stimulated Schirmer scores were significantly higher than the unstimulated scores at all visits, and corneal and conjunctival staining and symptom scores from baseline to day 180 were significantly reduced. No serious device-related AEs and nine nonserious AEs (three device-related) were reported. Intraocular pressure remained stable and most subjects showed little or no change in visual acuity at days 30 and 180. No significant findings from other clinical examinations were noted.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Neurostimulation of the nasolacrimal pathway is a safe and effective means of increasing tear production and reducing symptoms of dry eye in patients with DED.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Stanford University, Mid-Peninsula Ophthalmology Medical Group, Palo Alto, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Neil J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Friedman
authors.affiliation: Codet Vision Institute, Tijuana, Mexico.
authors.forename: Karla
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Butron
authors.affiliation: Codet Vision Institute, Tijuana, Mexico.
authors.forename: Nora
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Robledo
authors.affiliation: Oculeve, Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA.
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Loudin
authors.affiliation: Oculeve, Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Stephanie N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Baba
authors.affiliation: Codet Vision Institute, Tijuana, Mexico.
authors.forename: Arturo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chayet
keywords: keratoconjunctivitis sicca; nasolacrimal reflex; neuromodulation; neurostimulation; ocular staining; tear production