Efficacy of Cathionic Emulsion and Carboxymethyl-Cellulose 0,5% for Dry Eye Treatment in Post Menopausal Women

Abstract

Purpose : To evaluate the efficacy and safety of cationic emulsion and Carboxymethyl-Cellulose (CMC) 0,5% eye drops in post-menopausal women with dry eye
Methods : A randomized, double-masked clinical trial was conducted in polyclinic Ophthalmology Department during March-April 2009. Forty-six post menopausal women with dry eye were included in the study. The subjects were randomized into two groups. Group 1 received cationic emulsion and group 2 received CMC 0,5%. Tear Film Break-Up Time (TFBUT), Inter-Blink Interval (IBI) and Ocular Protection Index (OPI) were evaluated before treatment, day 1, 7 and 14 after treatment. The dry eye symptom severity score was evaluated before treatment, day 7 and 14 after treatment with Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire

Results : The cationic emulsion had significantly better OPI score and TFBUT value on day 1, 7 and 14 compared to CMC 0,5% group (p<0,001). There were no significant differences between groups on IBI value between groups on day 7 and 14 (p>0,05). The severity symptom score on cationic emulsion group was significantly lower compared to CMC 0,5% on day 14 (p<0,001). The subjective complaints after using both eye drops were visual disturbance, foreign body sensation, and itchy eyes. All complaints were only reported first follow-up (day 7).

Conclusion : Cationic emulsion in this study had a clearly beneficial effect both in increasing OPI score and lowering subjective symptom score in the treatment of dry eye for post menopausal women.