Comparison of efficacy of trehalose-based eye drops versus topical 0.1% Hyaluronic Acid for management of clinically significant dry eye using non-invasive investigational modalities.

PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy of trehalose-HA eye drops versus 0.1% hyaluronic acid for the treatment of dry eye.

METHODS

This prospective, comparative, contralateral eye study included sixty eligible patients (mean age 44.13 ± 14.53 years). Patients having a SPEED questionnaire score of 16 or above, objective scatter index (OSI) > 1 and non-invasive tear break up time (NIBUT) of 10 s or less were included in the study. Eyes were randomized to receive 0.1% hyaluronic acid (HA) in one eye and trehalose-HA eye drops in the contralateral eye. At baseline, 1- and 3-month follow-ups, OSI, NIBUT, MG loss, tear meniscus height (TMH) and tear film osmolarity (TFO) were evaluated using non-invasive modalities

RESULTS

There was a statistically significant improvement in NIBUT, TMH, OSI, SPEED questionnaire score in the trehalose-HA compared to the 0.1% HA group at both 1- and 3-month visits (p < 0.05). In both the study groups, compared to the baseline, the mean values of TFO, MG loss, OSI and SPEED questionnaire score significantly reduced at 3 months (p < 0.05). The mean values of NIBUT and tear meniscus height on the other hand showed a significant increase compared to the baseline values (p < 0.05). Both drugs were well tolerated by the study participants without any significant ocular side effects.

CONCLUSION

Trehalose-HA was found to be more effective than 0.1% HA eye drops in the management of symptomatic dry eye, as shown by significant reduction in NIBUT, TMH and OSI, when evaluated using non-invasive modalities of dry eye evaluation.