Lipid-based eye drop formulations for the management of evaporative dry eyes

Furqan A Maulvi; Ditixa T Desai; Parthasarathi Kalaiselvan; Srikanth Dumpati; Rajesh Kuppusamy; Simin Masoudi; Dinesh O Shah; Mark D P Willcox

doi:10.1016/j.clae.2024.102154

Lipid-based eye drop formulations for the management of evaporative dry eyes

Cont Lens Anterior Eye. 2024 Mar 23:102154. doi: 10.1016/j.clae.2024.102154. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Furqan A Maulvi¹, Ditixa T Desai², Parthasarathi Kalaiselvan³, Srikanth Dumpati³, Rajesh Kuppusamy⁴, Simin Masoudi³, Dinesh O Shah⁵, Mark D P Willcox³

Affiliations

¹ School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia; Maliba Pharmacy College, Uka Tarsadia University, Surat 394350, India. Electronic address: f.maulvi@unsw.edu.au.
² Maliba Pharmacy College, Uka Tarsadia University, Surat 394350, India.
³ School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia.
⁴ Faculty of Science, School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia.
⁵ Department of Chemical Engineering and Department of Anesthesiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA.

PMID: 38523013
DOI: 10.1016/j.clae.2024.102154

Abstract

Dry eye disease is a progressive prevalent ocular surface disorder that arises from various factors and is characterized by insufficient quality and/or quantity of tears. The underlying pathophysiology is intricate and can progress to chronic, difficult-to-treat conditions. Multiple strategies and therapeutic approaches are utilized in its management that target one or more etiopathological components of dry eyes, which may include aqueous tear deficiency or evaporative dry eyes. The primary focus of this paper is on treatment alternatives that utilize lipids for the treatment of evaporative dry eyes. This may arise from either abnormal lipid production or inadequate lipid spreading caused by meibomian gland dysfunction. The hypothesis behind the development of these lipid-containing eye drops is that if they can imitate the lipid layer, they may be able to help in the management of the signs and symptoms of evaporative dry eyes. The lipids used in commercial formulations for dry eyes are mineral oil, castor oil, phospholipids, omega-3 fatty acid, and medium-chain triglycerides. The literature suggests the potential of lipid-containing eye drops to alleviate some of the signs and symptoms and enhance the quality of life for individuals suffering from evaporative dry eyes.

Keywords: Evaporative dry eyes; Lipid-containing eye drops; Meibomian gland dysfunction; Tear film lipid layer; Treatment.

Publication types

Review