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Effectiveness of hyaluronan on corneal epithelial barrier function in dry eye

AIMS/BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to assess quantitatively the effectiveness of hyaluronan on corneal disruption in patients with dry eye. Corneal epithelial barrier function was evaluated by measuring fluorescein permeability using a slit-lamp fluorophotometer. METHODS 11 patients with dry eye were assigned to this study. Hyaluronan ophthalmic solution (0.1% hyaluronic acid) was instilled five times a day to the right eye, in addition to the usual artificial tear solutions. The left eye received only the artificial tear solutions. Corneal barrier function was evaluated on the pretreatment day, and at 2 and 4 weeks after treatment. Fluorophotometry was used to measure fluorescein uptake at the central and lower corneal portions. RESULTS Two weeks after treatment, hyaluronan treated right corneas showed significant corneal epithelial barrier improvement in the lower portion, compared with the pretreatment day (p<0.025). Four weeks after treatment, the treated corneas showed significant improvement in the central corneal portion (p<0.025) and improvement in the lower portion, compared with the pretreatment day. The untreated left corneas, on the other hand showed no improvement during the course of the study. CONCLUSION This study suggests that hyaluronan is effective in the treatment of corneal epithelial disruption in dry eye.