Use of Lipid-Containing Nanoemulsion Artificial Tears in Patients With Combined Dry Eye Disease and Meibomian Gland...

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of lipid-containing nanoemulsion artificial tears (ATs) on tear film stability, ocular surface health, and symptoms in patients with dry eye disease (DED) and meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD).

A retrospective cohort study was conducted on patients who received either lipid-containing nanoemulsion ATs (study group, 50 eyes) or another AT formulation (control group, 50 eyes). Primary outcomes were non-invasive tear break-up time (NITBUT), Schirmer I test, ocular surface staining, meibomian gland loss rate, and DED-related symptoms. Data were analyzed using independent t-tests and generalized linear models.

NITBUT was significantly longer in the study group compared with the control group (P < 0.001). Ocular surface staining and DED-related symptoms were also significantly better in the study group (both P < 0.05). The magnitude of improvement in NITBUT, meibomian gland loss rate, ocular surface staining, and DED-related symptoms was greater in the study group than in the control group (all P < 0.05). Sensitivity analysis showed that male sex was associated with DED improvement in the study group (P = 0.038), while both younger age and male sex were associated with improvement in the control group (both P < 0.05).

Lipid-containing nanoemulsion ATs were associated with greater improvements in tear film stability and ocular surface outcomes in patients with DED and MGD.