Sodium Hyaluranate

Sodium Hyaluronate Treats Dry Eye Syndrome More Effectively Than Saline

WESTPORT, Oct 20 (Reuters Health) - Sodium hyaluronate (hyaluronan) is more beneficial than saline for patients with dry eye syndrome, according to study results published in the October issue of the British
Journal of Ophthalmology.

Dr. Patrick I. Condon, of Ardkeen Hospital in Waterford, Ireland, and colleagues from the UK conducted a crossover study of 70 patients with
dry eye syndrome. After 7 days of using no dry eye medication other than saline, the patients received either 0.1% hyaluronan or 0.9% saline for
28 days, then received the opposite treatment for an additional 28 days.

Schirmer test results showed that tear flow was significantly better during hyaluronan treatment than during saline treatment, Dr. Condon's team reports. On the rose bengal test, total staining scores "...were
consistently about one point lower..." during hyaluronan treatment than during saline treatment. The investigators note that this difference was statistically significant.

The results of a patient survey revealed that patients favored hyaluronan over saline by a margin of 3 to 1. Forty-nine percent of the patients experienced relief from grittiness for more than 3 hours while using hyaluronan, versus 31% while using saline. In addition, 42% of the patients reported relief from burning sensation for more than 3 hours while using hyaluronan, versus 25% while using saline.

Br J Ophthalmol 1999;83:1121-1124.

Copyright © 1999 Reuters Ltd. All rights reserved.

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