A team led by Dr. Feng-Huei Lin, Distinguished Investigator and Director of Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Nanomedicine, has developed an artificial tear solution combination for dry eye syndrome treatment which is more convenient and less harmful than the current treatment.
One-third of elderly population aged 65 and above in Taiwan suffers from dry eye syndrome according to a research carried out by National Taiwan University Hospital Ophthalmology Department. Conventional treatment usually involves applying artificial tears first, followed by an interval of 3 to 5 mins before applying the second dose of anti-inflammatory eye drops or ointments which patients might miss out the later, resulting in poor adherence to therapy.
This artificial tear solution combination contains anti-inflammatory component (tea polyphenol) and hyaluronic acid (HA) in one single dose with lower dose from both components when compared to the conventional treatment. The presence of HA is 3 to 5 times lower than those available on the market, thus minimizing anti-inflammatory molecule retention on the ocular surface. The concentration of anti-inflammatory molecules in particular, is 50 to 100 times lower than those documented in literature, and this can help reduce the inflammation cytokines in dry eyes, thereby facilitating cornea repair and increasing tear secretion. This product is also similar to natural tears in terms of its pH vale, osmotic pressure and refractive index, and without causing irritation to eyes.
This product has been granted patents in R.O.C, Japan and the Unites States of America.