In Vitro and In Vivo Visualization of Perfluorohexyloctane, an Eye Drop for Dry Eye Disease, Using Infrared...

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Materials Science
• Surface Chemistry

Background:

• Dry eye disease (DED) affects millions globally, necessitating effective treatments.
• Perfluorohexyloctane (PFHO) is an emerging therapeutic agent for DED.
• Understanding the behavior of PFHO on the ocular surface is crucial for its clinical application.

Purpose of the Study:

• To visualize the behavior of perfluorohexyloctane (PFHO) on saline and the human ocular surface.
• To assess the spreading and disappearance rates of PFHO in vitro.
• To evaluate the duration of PFHO presence on the ocular surface in vivo.

Main Methods:

• Infrared emissivity imaging using a TearView camera.
• Measurement of PFHO spreading and disappearance rates on saline and meibum films.
• Video recording and analysis of ocular surface emissivity before and after PFHO instillation in a human volunteer.

Main Results:

• PFHO formed a stable layer over saline, spreading rapidly (0.89 cm²/s) and disappearing slowly (0.0760 μL/min).
• Mucin presence did not significantly affect PFHO spreading rates.
• PFHO remained on the ocular surface of a volunteer for at least 5 hours.
• In vitro, PFHO persisted on a meibum film for 3.3 hours.

Conclusions:

• PFHO rapidly forms a persistent layer on ocular surfaces, both in vitro and in vivo.
• PFHO acts as a long-lasting evaporation barrier, supporting its use in managing DED.
• The findings validate PFHO's potential to reduce dry eye signs and symptoms.