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Abstract

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of a propylene glycol–hydroxypropyl guar nanoemulsion on symptoms and ocular surface parameters in patients with evaporative dry eye.
METHODS: This prospective, single-center, interventional study included patients aged 18–50 years with evaporative dry eye who received a propylene glycol–hydroxypropyl guar nanoemulsion. Participants were instructed to instill the nanoemulsion three times daily for 90 days. Evaluations included the Ocular Surface Disease Index, tear osmolarity, tear meniscus height, lipid layer thickness, noninvasive tear break-up time, fluorescein tear break-up time, corneal fluorescein staining (National Eye Institute Scale), Schirmer’s test I, and meibum quality.
RESULTS: Thirty-three participants were enrolled, and 30 completed the study. The mean age was 36 ± 10 yr, and 73.3% were women. The mean Ocular Surface Disease Index score significantly decreased from 43.1 ± 20 at baseline to 25.2 ± 17 at 3 months (p=0.009). Median corneal fluorescein staining decreased from 2 (IQ range=1–3) to 1 (IQ range 25–75 = 0–1) at the final follow-up (p=0.002). The mean fluorescein tear break-up time increased significantly increased from 3.8 ± 2.1 at baseline to 5.8 ± 2.2 at 3 months (p=0.002). Tear osmolarity decreased significantly (p=0.01) and lipid layer thickness improved markedly (p<0.001). No significant changes were observed in tear meniscus height or noninvasive tear break-up time (p>0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with a propylene glycol–hydroxypropyl guar nanoemulsion significantly improved dry-eye symptoms, corneal staining, tear film stability, and lipid layer quality in patients with evaporative dry eye. No adverse events were reported, supporting the safety and efficacy of this formulation.

Keywords: Dry eye syndromes/drug therapy; Meibomian gand dysfunction/drug Dry Eye therapy; Tears; Emulsions; Lubricant eye drops; Nanoparticles; Propylene glycol/therapeutic use; Polysaccharides/ therapeutic use