Purpose: To evaluate skin biocompatibility of a nighttime hydrating eyelid gel and possible ocular surface effects in contact lens users (CLU) and non-contact lens users (NCLU). The formulation is registered as a medical device as Tridocosahexaenoine-AOX® (TDHA-AOX) (a concentrated DHA triglyceride), containing also hyaluronic acid (HA).
Methods: A prospective, randomized, masked clinical trial was performed with 62 participants of both sexes, aged 20–70 years, split into: (1) CLU (n = 30) and (2) NCLU (n = 32). All participants were instructed to apply a single dose of the moisturizing gel (containing TDHA-AOX and HA) nightly to the upper and inner eyelids of their right eye (RE) only, and during 2 consecutive weeks. Personal interviews, questionnaires, ophthalmic examinations and reflex tear collection were performed. Ophthalmological parameters included ocular surface response and contact lens status. Levels of satisfaction/adverse events were also recorded. Biochemical parameters included basal and final determination of pro-inflammatory mediator molecules in tear samples by multiplex analyses. Statistics were done by the SPSS 24.0 program.
Results: The CLU group had higher OS dysfunction than NCLU, but overall clinical parameters (corneal staining, and Schirmer/FBUT tests) and OSDI scores showed significant improvement in CLU individuals as compared to the NCLU participants, at the end of study. CLDEQ-8 scores pinpointed significant amelioration in initial risk of developing DEs by applying eyelid gel. Multiplex analyses demonstrated significantly lower VEGF expression levels (p < 0,05) in tears among the CLU compared to NCLU after nightly application of eyelid gel.
Conclusions: Eyelid gel appeared to safely and efficiently provide hydration and decongestion of the skin and amelioration of the ocular surface during sleep.
Keywords: Cytokines; Docosahexaenoic acid; Eyelids; Hyaluronic acid; Ocular surface dysfunction.