Hydroxypropyl cellulose ophthalmic inserts (lacrisert) reduce the signs and symptoms of dry eye syndrome and improve patient quality of life.

PURPOSE A multicenter, 2-visit, open-label, 4-week study was conducted to determine the acceptability of hydroxypropyl cellulose ophthalmic inserts in adult patients with a history of dry eye syndrome (DES). METHODS At visit 1, patients (N = 520) were evaluated, screened by slit-lamp biomicroscopy, and completed the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI), a validated measure of quality of life. Patients were trained in the proper placement and use of hydroxypropyl cellulose ophthalmic inserts and were contacted by telephone on day 3 of the study. At week 4, patients were given a clinical evaluation and completed a second questionnaire. Answers determined changes in symptoms and quality of life. Adverse events were monitored throughout the study. RESULTS Four hundred eighteen patients completed the study and reported significant improvements in discomfort, burning, dryness, grittiness, stinging, and light sensitivity (P = .05) after 4 weeks use of hydroxypropyl cellulose ophthalmic inserts. Significant improvements in clinical signs (keratitis, conjunctival staining, and tear volume) were reported. Contact lens wearers reported significant improvements similar to nonwearers, with a strong trend toward improvement in light sensitivity. Mean OSDI total scores, measuring quality of life, significantly improved by 21.3% (from 41.8 +/- 22.38 to 32.9 +/- 21.97, P < or = .0215). The most commonly reported adverse event leading to discontinuation was blurred vision, observed in 8.7% of patients (n = 45). Compliance during the study was good; 41.5% of subjects were fully compliant. Of the 58.5% of subjects who missed doses, the majority (69.4%) missed only one to five. CONCLUSIONS Hydroxypropyl cellulose ophthalmic inserts significantly reduced symptoms and clinical signs of moderate to severe DES. They also significantly improved DES in patients wearing contact lenses. Patients experienced a statistically significant improvement in quality of life, as measured by the OSDI, of 21.3%.