The Effect of Hydroxypropyl Guar-Hyaluronic Acid Dual-Polymer Eye Drops on Inflammatory Cytokine Expression in Tears...

To examine the impact of hydroxypropyl guar-hyaluronic acid (HPG-HA) dual-polymer eye drops on inflammatory cytokines in the tears of individuals experiencing computer vision syndrome.

A randomized, double-masked, multi-center interventional study was conducted. One hundred and sixteen computer users with symptoms (using computers over 3 h daily for at least 1 year) were randomized into two groups; 56 patients received HPG-HA eye drops, and 60 patients received preserved saline drops, both twice daily for a duration of 3 months. The primary outcome was the reduction of inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-1 beta [IL-1β], IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, interferon-γ, and tumor necrosis factor-α) in conjunctiva and tears of computer users. The secondary outcomes encompassed alterations in dry eye symptom scores, Schirmer test results, tear breakup time (TBUT) values, and Nelson grade at the 3-month mark.

At baseline, tear inflammatory cytokines and tear film parameters were similar in both the supplement and placebo groups. Tear inflammatory cytokine levels showed no significant changes from baseline at 3 months postintervention in the tear supplement group, despite numerical reduction. However, the tear supplement group demonstrated a notable improvement in dry eye symptoms (P < 0.001), Schirmer test scores (P < 0.001), and TBUT scores (P < 0.001); however, there was no significant alteration in goblet cell counts or morphology of conjunctival epithelial cells.

Treatment with HPG-HA dual-polymer eye drops for 3 months does alleviate dry eye symptoms and decrease tear evaporation rate in patients with computer vision syndrome. However, it does not alter tear inflammatory cytokines nor increase conjunctival goblet cell density.