DRY EYE & Carboxymethyl Cellulose
DR.SHIKHA DUBEY, DOMS (Nagpur University), Short-term fellow retina,
Phaco-fellow.
SHANTI EYE CARE CENTRE

Dinner session sponsored by Cipla Foresight, held on 19-03-05
at Hotel Satya Ashoka. Session followed by Dinner.
Dry eye disease is a chronic inflammatory condition of the eye in
which the precorneal film gets altered in function due to the dysfunction
of tear volume or tear quality alone or both leading to a complex
symptomatology.
Dry eye may be sight-threatening
Bacterial Keratitis

Corneal Ulcer

Prevalence of dry eye increases significantly with age and is more
common in women.
Classification -- Murube &Rivas classification(2003)
Grade-0 = Normal
Grade-1 = Occasional Symptoms No Signs
Grade-2 = More Often Sympoms No Signs
Grade-3 = Symptoms Present In Daily Life And Signs Also Present
Grade-4 = Symptoms Present Always. Signs Present
Grade-5 = Symptoms And Signs In Form Of Scarring, Vascularization
Of Cornea
DRY EYE : Classification

Dry Eye: Main Causes
Tear deficient dry eye Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS)
Sjogrens: Autoimmune disorder with a triad of dry mouth, dry
eye and arthritis
Non-Sjogrens
Ageing - Gradual deterioration of lacrimal gland tissue occurs
with ageing
Menopause - At the time of menopause, levels of androgens drop
down
Neurotrophic keratitis - Corneal sensitivity decreases after
LASIK, PRK, contact lens wear and diabetes
Medicamentosa - Anti histamines, anti-depressants, beta blockers
Cicatricial Diseases - Trachoma, chemical burns, Stevens Johnson
syndrome
(Ref: Clin. Exp. Optom 2001: 84: 1:4-18; J. Am. Optom Assoc. 1991;
62: 187-199;
Suppl P and T Digest 2003; 28(2): 1-45)
EVAPORATIVE DRY DISEASE
Meibomian gland disease: Most prevalent (65%). Obstruction of meibomian
gland
Lid surfacing anomalies: Lid closure affected, blinking affected
Ocular surface toxicity: Long term use of topical antiglaucoma medications,
preservatives like BAK
Contact lens related
Allergy
LASIK induced dry eye
Creation of partial corneal flap
Certain amount of nerve damage occurs
Decreased corneal sensation
Reduction of tears
Contact Lens Wear
20-30% of contact lens wearers have dry eye symptoms.
The presence of contact lens,hard or soft,represents a stress to the
tear film and can lead to contact lens - induced dry eye.
Decreased corneal sensation
Reduced reflex tearing
Increased evaporation
(abs of replacement of disrupted tear film)
Hypertonic tear film
(increased osmolarity, i.e increase in solutes)
Hypertonic tear film indicating dry eye causes symptoms of discomfort
during lens wear.
Extensions of interblink period due to intense concentration due
to close work and computer work concentration leads to drying of ocular
surface.
Normal blink rate : 15 times/min
Working on computer: 5 times/min
Chronic Allergy
Dry eye is commonly associated with chronic allergic conjunctivitis.
An allergic history has been reported by 36% of dry eye patients.
Chronic allergy results in loss of goblet cells, destabilization of
the tear film & damage to ocular surface.
VKC is associated with 38% incidence of dry eye.
Symptoms
Irritation
Redness
Burning/ Stinging
Itchy eyes
Sandy- gritty feeling (foreign body sensation)
Blurred vision
Tearing
Contact lens intolerance.
Increased frequency of blinking
Mucous discharge.
Photophobia (less frequent symptom)
Symptoms worsen in windy or air-conditioned environments.
As day progresses.
After prolonged reading, working on computers
Cinical signs
Chronic papillary conjunctivitis
Chronic meibomitis - toothpaste sign
Blepharitis
Debris in tear film
Presence of lipcof (lid parallel conjuctival fold)
Interpalpebral hyperemia
Tear marginal meniscus < 0.3 mm
Meibomian gland health:
Gland orifice metaplasia
Meibomian gland expression test
trans illumination of inferior tarsus
Meibomian Gland Expression Test:
Grade-0 Expression Of Five Glands
Grade-1 Four Glands Expressed
Grade-2 Three Glands Expressed
Grade-3 Two Glands Expressed
Grade-4: No Glands Expressed
Pathophysiology
Tears are a complex solution composed of water, enzymes, proteins,
immunoglobulins, lipids, various metabolites, exfoliated epithelial
and polymorphonuclear cells
Lacrimal apparatus

Tears: Functions
Lubricate the ocular surface.
Nourish the ocular surface
Forms a smooth, even layer over ocular surface
Provides antibacterial system for ocular surface
Serves as a vehicle for the entry of PMNs in case of injury
Dilutes and washes away toxic irritants
Production and turnover of tears is essential to maintain health
of the ocular surface
Tears: Physical Properties
Rate of secretion 1.2 ml/min (Basal)
Turnover rate - 12-16 %/min
Osmolarity - 310-334 mOsm/k
pH 7.5 + 0.16
Tear Film: Anatomy & Physiology

Trilaminar structure
Consists of :
Thin anterior lipid layer (0.1 mm)
Intermediate aqueous layer (7 mm)
Innermost mucous layer (0.02-0.04 mm)
Lipid Layer
Oily covering composed of waxy and cholesterol esters
Secreted predominantly by the meibomian glands
Function: Inhibit evaporation of underlying aqueous layer
Aqueous Layer
Sandwiched between lipid and mucin layer
Comprises vast majority of tear film thickness
Secreted by the lacrimal glands
Function
Lubricate cornea and conjunctiva
Cleanses by flushing debris from ocular surface
Important for immunity and nutrition of ocular surface
Mucin Layer
Innermost component of tear film
Secreted by the goblet cells of conjunctiva
Function
To help aqueous layer adhere to corneal surface
Help proper spreading of tear film
DIAGNOSTIC TESTS
Schirmer's test I
Schirmer's test II
Rose bengal 'staining /lissamine green staining
Fluorescein stain test
SCHIRMER'S TEST I
If Wetting <3mm=V.Severe Dry Eye
If Wetting 3-5 mm=Severe Dry Eye
If Wetting 5-10mm= Moderate Dry Eye
If Wetting is 10mm= Mild Dry Eye
If Wetting >10mm= Normal Eye

SCHIRMER'S TEST II
If Wetting<10mm -- >irratate the nasal mucosa with cotton bud
,note add. wetting
If no Wetting or <1mm-->Sjogren's syndrome
If Wetting increases by 1mm --> Non - Sjogren's syndrome
Rose Bengal staining
Rose Bengal solution 1% placed into the conjunctival sac.
After a wait of 2 mins, degree of rose bengal staining on bulbar
conjunctiva and cornea is quantitated by microscopic exam.
Stains devitalized cells.
Also stains mucous strands (very often present in KCS)


FLUORESCEIN STAIN TEST
-->No staining=Grade -0
-->1/3 =Grade-1
-->2/3 =Grade-2
-->3/3 =Grade-3

TFBUT:
Normal >10sec
Grade 4 < 3sec
Slit lamp fluorophotometry:
-->GRADE-0= No superifical punctum corneal stain
-->GRADE-1=No severe SPK at center of cornea
-->GRADE-2= Mild SPK at center of cornea
-->GRADE-3= Severe SPK at center of cornea
OCULAR PROTECTIVE INDEX(OPI):
OPI<1= Patient at risk OPI>1= Not at risk
TEAR OSMOLARITY:
Normal=302Mos+_6.3/litre
Dry Eye=>350Mos/litre
CLOSED CHAMBER INFRARED THERMOMETRY:
Normal: TEMP INCREASED by 0.1 degree Celcius after opening the eye
Dry Eye: NO INCREASE IN TEMP. after opening the eye
CLOSED CHAMBER HUMIDITY OF THE EYE:
Normal = < 1RH%
Dry eye = > 1RH%(1RH% TO 4RH%)
Features--> Most reliable,Quick , Non -invasive for dry eye
LAB DIAGNOSIS
IMPRESSION CYTOLOGY

CA 19-9 ELISA TEST
OCULAR FERNING TEST:
No Ferning:
Pemphigus
Stevenson Johnson syndrome
Non Dry Eye : Ferning is present in 91%
Dry Eye: Management
MEDICAL THERAPY
SUPPORTIVE THERAPY
THERAPY OF THE UNDERLYING CAUSE
SURGICAL THERAPY
TREATMENT OF DRY EYE IS NOT "ONE SIZE FITS ALL"
MEDICAL THERAPY
TEAR SUBSTITUTES
Tear substitutes:benefits
Tear substitutes are the mainstay of therapy for dry eye.
Provide adequate relief
Increase humidity at the ocular surface and improve lubrication.
Smooth the ocular surface leading to improved vision.
Intra/post-operative use has shown to help restore ocular surface
after refractive surgery.
Improve patients' quality of life.
What should an ideal tear substitute contain?
Polymer (ocular lubricant)
Electrolytes
Preservative
Polymers in tear substitutes
Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC)
Hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC)
Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA)
Carboxymethylcellulose 0.5% : Highlights
Carboxymethylcellulose provides better protection, lubrication and
clinical efficacy compared to other polymers.
Improves the health of conjunctival and corneal cells in patients
with KCS.
Plays a role in the reversal of squamous metaplasia in patients with
KCS.
Superior to HPMC in alleviating symptoms of KCS.
Provides immediate relief and lasting protection against dryness
and irritation.
Appropriate to use when conventional tear substitutes are inadequate.
Comfortable upon instillation.
Safe to use as often as needed.
Appropriate to use for post-LASIK ocular dryness.
Electrolytes
Electrolytes in '' artificial tears'' mimic human tears and renew
dry eyes.
Provide an environment for the ocular surface conducive to re-establishment
of normal corneal epithelial barrier.
Electrolytes are crucial in maintaining conjunctival goblet cells.
Preservative
CHEMICAL-BAK, Chlorbutol, Phenyl Mercuric Nitrite, etc
OXIDATIVE-Stabilized Oxy-chloro-complex, Sodium Perborate
NON-TOXIC TO EPITHELIUM
Dry eye patients:Adverse Effects of preserved medications
More susceptible to toxic effects of topical medications.
Inhibited tear clearance resulting in prolonged residence time of
preservatives (potential toxins) on the ocular surface.
Prolonged exposure to preservatives leads to inflammation which leads
to chronic irritation and can worsen dry eye
Hence artificial tears must be free of toxic preservatives , particularly
if dosing at greater than 4-6 times/ day.
How about a preservative that keeps the eye drops preserved in the
bottle but preservative free in the eye?
Preservative-free solutions thus established a new benchmark in artificial
tear solution treatment.
SOC converts to natural components of tears in the eye
Sodium & Chloride ions
Stabilized oxychloro
Complex
oxygen + water
SLOW RELEASE ARTIFICAL TEAR DEVICES ( LACRISERTS)
Advantage: Longer duration of action
LUBRICATING OINTMENT
Non -medicated ,semi -solid preparation, white petrolatum, liquid
lanolin and mineral oil
Used only at bed -time
Retained longer than solution
Local immunosuppressive agents
Cycloporin:0.05%to0.1% two times a day
Autologous Serum
Long term treatment with sodium hyaluronate
Castor oil eye drops for non -inflammatory obstructive gland dysfunction
Supracutaneous administration of calcium ointment 10%
Carbomer gel 0.3%
Androgens in dry eye
Secretogogues
Pilocarpine
SUPPORTIVE THERAPY
Use of eye shields, glasses with side shields or swimmers goggles
Contact Lens
Vaporizer or humidifier
SURGICAL THERAPY
Subcutaneous abdominal artificial tear pump- Reservior for severe
dry eyes
Preservation of tears by occluding with punctal plugs
Silicone punctal plugs
Increase the contact lens wear
Reduces dependency on tear drops
Permanent intracanalicular silicone plug
Occlusion of the punctum or with LASER or diathermy
Autologous Limbal Transplantation
Soluble Collagen Discs
Amniotic Membrane transplantation
Auto conjuctiva (Punch patch technique)
Rectal mucosa
Lips mucosa
Frontal sinus drainage
Parotid duct transplantation
Tarsorrhaphy in dry eye
Treating dry eye symptoms Is important for short-term comfort
and the long-term health of your cornea.