Comparative analysis of carmellose 0.5% versus hyaluronate 0.15% in dry eye: a flow cytometric study
Miguel Angel Sanchez1, Pilar Torralbo-Jimenez, Natalia Giron
1Department of Ophthalmology, Hospital Clinico San Carlos, Madrid, Spain.
Purpose:
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.
Conclusion:
Both artificial tears improve dry eye signs and symptoms and inflammatory markers expression, with significant better results in carmellose group.
