SODIUM HYALURONATE EYEDROPS IN THE TREATMENT OF DRY EYES

Background-Several studies in the past have attempted to demonstrate t he efficacy of sodium hyaluronate in the treatment of dry eyes. Howeve r, results have been conflicting and a definite conclusion has not yet been reached. This study recruited a larger group of patients and has incorporated for the first time both fluorescein and rose bengal stai ning in the evaluation of the epithelium. Methods-Eighteen albino rabb it corneas were used in a basic animal study to demonstrate the effica cy of sodium hyaluronate by comparing the effects on the rate of epith elial healing. The optimal concentration to be used in the clinical tr ial was determined from the results of the basic study. In the clinica l study 104 patients with dry eye syndrome were enrolled in a double m asked controlled clinical trial. Patients received sodium hyaluronate drops in one eye and control medication in the other eye for 4 weeks. Grading of subjective symptoms and clinical examinations were performe d at 2 and 4 weeks. Results-In the animal study sodium hyaluronate at concentrations of 0.1% and 0.5% significantly accelerated the recovery time of iodine vapour induced corneal erosions (p< 0.01). In the clin ical study no statistical significance was observed in the improvement of subjective symptoms or rose bengal staining, while fluorescein sco res significantly improved in eyes receiving sodium hyaluronate (p=0.0 001) at 4 weeks. Conclusion-Sodium hyaluronate drops applied in six da ily doses could not be demonstrated to offer advantages over conventio nal tear supplies in the improvement of subjective symptoms, but may p lay a role in maintaining a healthy corneal epithelium.