Clinical performance of a mid-viscosity artificial tear for dry eye treatment

Purpose: We report the results of 3 studies conducted to evaluate the performance of a 1.0% carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) mid-viscosity artificial tear compared to currently marketed low-viscosity tears. Methods: First, a single-center, double-masked, randomized, crossover study was performed to compare the effect on the Ocular Protection Index (OPI) of the mid-viscosity tear compared to low-viscosity tears in 39 subjects with mild to moderate dry eye. Second, a 1-month, 2-arm, parallel, randomized double-masked clinical study assessed objective signs and subjective symptoms of dry eye in 103 subjects with mild to moderate dry eye. Third, in a 1-month home-use test, 465 artificial tear users compared the mid-viscosity tear or a current low-viscosity tear to their current artificial tear. Results: The OPI study showed prolonged tear breakup time and improved OPI for at least 20 minutes after instillation of the mid-viscosity tear. The low-viscosity tears showed improvements for 5 to 10 minutes. The 1-month clinical study showed a significant reduction in staining and dry eye symptoms after 1 week of treatment, with a further reduction in staining after 1 month in the mid-viscosity group. Subjects provided more reports of blur with the mid-viscosity tear than with a low-viscosity tear, but equivalent overall acceptability. The home use test showed general acceptability of the mid-viscosity tear, including more subjects indicating that it was needed less frequently than their prior low-viscosity tear. Conclusions: This 1% CMC mid-viscosity tear showed protection of the ocular surface after instillation and significant reduction in signs and symptoms of dry eye. Improvements were greater than with low-viscosity tears. The mid-viscosity artificial tear was rated well in comfort, duration of benefit, and general acceptability.