Crosslinked hyaluronic acid with liposomes and crocin for management symptoms of dry eye disease caused by moderate meibomian gland dysfunction

Abstract Background: To study the effect of uncrosslinked and crosslinked hyaluronic acid combined with other artificial tear components in patients with dry eye caused by moderate meibomian gland dysfunction. Method: Prospective, single-blind, contralateral eye study. Fifty eyes were analyzed (25 patients). Eye selection for each tear type was random, and the eye drop formulations Aquoral Forte® (artificial tear A) and Aquoral Lipo® (artificial tear B) were used. The determined dosing schedule was three times a day for six weeks, and the study participants underwent a clinical examination before and 45 days after lubricant treatment. The Schirmer test, tear breakup time (TBUT) test, and Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire were applied before and after instillation period with both types of artificial tears. Results: On the Schirmer test, a significant improvement was obtained with both tear A (p < 0.01) and tear B (p < 0.01). On the TBUT test, a significant improvement was obtained with tear A (p < 0.01) and tear B (p < 0.01). The OSDI score significantly decreased after instillation period with both artificial tear types (p < 0.01). Conclusion: Uncrosslinked hyaluronic acid combined with other components, such as tamarind seed polysaccharide, and crosslinked hyaluronic acid combined with liposomes and crocin are effective for management symptoms of dry eye disease.