Evaluation of tear meniscus by optical coherence tomography after different sodium hyaluronate eyedrops instillation.

Purpose: To evaluate changes in tear meniscus dynamics using optical coherence tomography (OCT) after the instillation of different concentrations of sodium hyaluronate (SH) ophthalmic solutions.

Methods: An experimental, double-masked, randomized study was performed. Twenty-three healthy subjects (16 women and seven men; mean age 23.57 ± 2.56 years) participated in this study. About 35 μl of 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3% SH ophthalmic solutions and saline solution was instilled in a randomly assigned eye. Tear meniscus measurements (height, depth and turbidity) were taken with OCT at 30 seconds and 1, 3, 5, 10 and 20 min after instillation. Subsequently, the Schirmer test and tear break-up time (TBUT) were evaluated.

Results: Tear meniscus depth and tear meniscus height showed a significant increase with all solutions compared to basal values: up to 3 min for 0.1% SH, up to 5 min for 0.2% and up to 10 min for 0.3% SH ophthalmic solution. Tear meniscus turbidity was also increased at 30 seconds for 0.1%, 0.2% and 0.3% SH artificial tears (p < 0.05). This increase remained significant for up to 1 min for 0.2% and 0.3% SH solutions (p < 0.05). After 5 min of saline and 0.1% SH instillation, the turbidity was lower than basal values (p < 0.05). There was a significant increase in the TBUT for all solutions after instillation (p < 0.05). No differences between the Schirmer pre- and postinstillation were found (p > 0.05). Finally, the comfort was significantly improved for all ophthalmic solutions (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Sodium hyaluronate (SH) ophthalmic solutions increase residence time in healthy subjects and are positively correlated with its concentration and therefore the viscosity.