Hydroxypropyl guar (HPG)/hyaluronic acid (HA) and carboxymethylcellulose (CMC)/HA lubricant eye drops showed superior short-term improvement in corneal health (CFS scores) after 1 week compared to CMC/HA drops in patients with dry eye disease following cataract surgery, according to a study. However, both treatments were found to be equally effective and safe by the end of the 3-week period.
In prospective, open-label, assessor-masked, parallel, randomized controlled trial involving 70 patients who had undergone cataract surgery, participants were randomly assigned to receive either HPG/HA or CMC/HA eye drops in a 1:1 ratio. Each group applied 1-2 drops 4 times daily for 3 weeks. The study assessed the efficacy of these treatments by measuring changes from baseline in several key indicators: corneal fluorescein staining (CFS) score, Ocular Surface Disease Index score, Schirmer’s test score (without anesthesia), tear break-up time, and central corneal sensitivity. These evaluations were conducted at weeks 1 and 3.
The study found that the HPG/HA group showed significantly better improvement in CFS scores at the 1-week mark compared to the CMC/HA group (mean improvement of -1.0 vs -0.1, P = 0.039). By week 3, both groups had similar CFS scores (mean improvement of -1.6 vs -1.3, P = 0.552). No significant differences were observed between the 2 groups in other secondary outcomes at either time point.
Only 1 adverse event (ocular hypertension) was reported during the study, occurring in the HPG/HA group. This event was mild, considered unrelated to the treatment, and resolved within a week.
Reference
Sun CC, Chan YH, Huang PW, Chen NN. Evaluation of Two Artificial Tears Containing Hyaluronic Acid for Post Cataract Surgery Dry Eye Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Ophthalmol Ther. 2024; doi: 10.1007/s40123-024-01015-9. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39127813.
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