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Diquafosol sodium ophthalmic solution for the treatment of dry eye: clinical evaluation and biochemical analysis of tear composition

  • Clinical Investigation
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Abstract

Purpose

To evaluate the clinical efficacy of 3 % diquafosol sodium ophthalmic solution for dry eye, and to analyze the concentration of tear proteins and mucin-like substances after the treatment.

Methods

Fifty eyes of 25 patients with dry eye syndrome were prospectively enrolled. The patients were treated with diquafosol solution at a dose of 1 drop in each eye 6 times daily for 4 weeks. The parameters of clinical efficacy were tear osmolarity, tear breakup time (BUT), fluorescein staining scores for the cornea and conjunctiva, Schirmer test values, and subjective symptoms evaluated using the ocular surface disease index (OSDI). Tears collected with Schirmer test strips were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography, and the concentrations of the total protein and the 4 major tear proteins, namely, secretory IgA, lactoferrin, lipocalin-1, lysozyme, and N-acetyl-neuraminic acid (Neu5Ac), were measured. Neu5Ac is a major sialic acid, a marker of secretory mucins.

Results

The BUT, keratoconjunctival staining scores, and Schirmer test values were improved with statistical significance after the treatment with diquafosol solution, while changes in the other parameters, including tear osmolarity, corneal staining scores, and OSDI scores were not significant. The Neu5Ac concentration was significantly increased, which was not accompanied by changes in tear proteins.

Conclusions

Topical application of diquafosol significantly improved the clinical parameters of the BUT, keratoconjunctival staining scores, and Schirmer test values and was accompanied by increased sialic acid content in the tears of patients with dry eye.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ophthalmology, Kyorin University School of Medicine, 6-20-2 Shinkawa, Mitaka, Tokyo, 181-8611, Japan

    Chika Shigeyasu & Masakazu Yamada

  2. Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-8582, Japan

    Chika Shigeyasu & Kazuo Tsubota

  3. Division for Vision Research, National Institute of Sensory Organs, National Hospital Organization Tokyo Medical Center, 2-5-1 Higashigaoka, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, 152-8982, Japan

    Chika Shigeyasu & Yoko Akune

Authors
  1. Chika Shigeyasu
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  2. Masakazu Yamada
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  3. Yoko Akune
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  4. Kazuo Tsubota
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Chika Shigeyasu.

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Conflicts of interest

C. Shigeyasu, None; M. Yamada, None; Y. Akune, None; K. Tsubota, Lecture fees (Santen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.).

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Shigeyasu, C., Yamada, M., Akune, Y. et al. Diquafosol sodium ophthalmic solution for the treatment of dry eye: clinical evaluation and biochemical analysis of tear composition . Jpn J Ophthalmol 59, 415–420 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10384-015-0408-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10384-015-0408-y

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