A Retrospective Data Review Confirms That Topical Preservative-Free Hydrocortisone Improves Inflammation in Dry Eye Disease

• Main Authors: Kuzmanović Elabjer B, Marković L, Bjeloš M, Bušić M, Miletić D, Kos E
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dove Medical Press 2020-10-01
• Series: Clinical Ophthalmology
• Subjects: dry eye disease; inflammation; topical preservative-free hydrocortisone; corticosteroids; central precorneal tear film; ocular surface disease index
• Online Access: https://www.dovepress.com/a-retrospective-data-review-confirms-that-topical-preservative-free-hy-peer-reviewed-article-OPTH

Biljana Kuzmanović Elabjer, Leon Marković, Mirjana Bjeloš, Mladen Bušić, Daliborka Miletić, Eva Kos University Eye Clinic, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health Care Osijek, Faculty of Medicine Osijek, University Josip Juraj Strossmayer in Osijek, University Hospital “Sveti Duh”, Zagreb, CroatiaCorrespondence: Mladen BušićUniversity Eye Clinic, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health Care Osijek, Faculty of Medicine Osijek, University Josip Juraj Strossmayer in Osijek, University Hospital “Sveti Duh”, WHO Collaborating Centre for Child Eye Care, Sveti Duh 64, Zagreb 10 000, CroatiaTel [phone]Email [e-mail]: Inflammation is among the most important mechanisms in the pathogenesis of dry eye disease (DED), triggering the vicious circle of the disease. Reducing inflammation is an important target in dry eye disease treatment. Hydrocortisone is a low-potency corticosteroid with a low ocular penetration potential.Aim: To document the effect of topical preservative-free hydrocortisone 0.335% (PFH, Softacort®, Laboratoires Théa, France) on DED.Methods: Retrospective data review of patients with mild to moderate DED, treated with PFH for 15 days. Clinical evaluations at Days 0 and 15 included the assessment of the central precorneal tear film thickness (CPTFT), fluorescein tear breakup time, Schirmer test, corneal grading staining (Oxford schema), ocular surface disease index (OSDI) spatial distribution of the precorneal tear film thickness, intraocular pressure (IOP) and local tolerance.Results: Data from 13 women and 2 men were collected. Mean age±SD was 51± 5 years for women and 53± 4 years for men. Clinical signs and symptoms significantly (all p< 0.05) improved after 15 days of treatment. A significant positive correlation between the percentage of change in left eye CPTFT and that in the contralateral eye CPTFT was observed (p=0.003) as well as for both eyes and the left eye FTBUT (p=0.03). For the percentage of change in OSDI, the only significant correlation was with the percentage of change in right eye and FTBUT (p=0.03). IOP remained unchanged. No adverse events were recorded.Conclusion: This retrospective data review confirms that topical PFH twice daily for 2 weeks significantly improves clinical signs and symptoms in patients with mild to moderate DED with no safety issues.Keywords: dry eye disease, inflammation, topical preservative-free hydrocortisone, corticosteroids, central precorneal tear film, ocular surface disease index