carboxymethylcellulose sodium 1% (refresh liquigel)
Place in Therapy
Place in Therapy
Carboxymethylcellulose sodium 1% drops have evidence to support its use as a first line option for the treatment of symptoms associated with mild to moderate dry eye.1,2 Carboxymethylcellulose works to treat dry eye by mimicking the patient’s natural tears, and increases the viscosity of the solution to enhance its moisturizing effects. Carboxymethylcellulose has shown efficacy at doses of 1 drop in each eye, given four times daily.2 This being said, some sources state that artificial tears can be used up to 12 times daily, and may be necessary in more severe disease.4 There is a great deal of secondary and tertiary literature, developed by eye care experts, that supports the use of artificial tears in general.3,4 However, these disease reviews and guidelines do not differentiate between the variety of artificial tears on the market despite the fact there are some head to head trials that compare the different over-the-counter options. 1% sodium carboxymethylcellulose stands up very well against other eye drops, with some studies showing it has superior objective efficacy and is often the preferred option in terms of patient’s ocular comfort.1,2 There still are some trials that show that other options (namely polyethylene glycol 400 0.4% and propylene glycol 0.3%) may be more efficacious in treating dry eye symptoms.5 Although, these studies are most often funded by the manufacturer of the more efficacious artificial tear, so the results may be biased and must be taken with a grain of salt. Overall, carboxymethylcellulose has proven efficacy and is an excellent initial option for clinicians and patients to choose to treat symptoms of dry eye syndrome.
References:
1. Simmons PA, Vehige JG. Clinical performance of a mid-viscosity artificial tear for dry eye treatment. Cornea. 2007 Apr;26(3):294-302. PMID: 17413956
2. Noecker RJ. Comparison of Initial Treatment Response to Two Enhanced-Viscosity Artificial Tears. Eye & Contact Lens 32(3): 148–152, 2006
3. American Academy of Ophthalmology Cornea/External Disease Panel. Preferred Practice Pattern® Guidelines. Dry Eye Syndrome. San Francisco, CA: Academy of Ophthalmology, 2013. Available at: www.aao.org/ppp.
4. Foster SC., Yuksel E., Anzaar F., et al. Dry Eye Syndrome Treatment & Management. Medscape Reference. WebMD LLC. Dec 16, 2013. Accessed Online: March 1, 2014. http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1210417-treatment
5. Cohen S., Martin A., Sall K. Evaluation of clinical outcomes in patients with dry eye disease using lubricant eye drops containing polyethylene glycol or carboxymethylcellulose. Clinical Ophthalmology. 2014:8 157–164
Carboxymethylcellulose sodium 1% drops have evidence to support its use as a first line option for the treatment of symptoms associated with mild to moderate dry eye.1,2 Carboxymethylcellulose works to treat dry eye by mimicking the patient’s natural tears, and increases the viscosity of the solution to enhance its moisturizing effects. Carboxymethylcellulose has shown efficacy at doses of 1 drop in each eye, given four times daily.2 This being said, some sources state that artificial tears can be used up to 12 times daily, and may be necessary in more severe disease.4 There is a great deal of secondary and tertiary literature, developed by eye care experts, that supports the use of artificial tears in general.3,4 However, these disease reviews and guidelines do not differentiate between the variety of artificial tears on the market despite the fact there are some head to head trials that compare the different over-the-counter options. 1% sodium carboxymethylcellulose stands up very well against other eye drops, with some studies showing it has superior objective efficacy and is often the preferred option in terms of patient’s ocular comfort.1,2 There still are some trials that show that other options (namely polyethylene glycol 400 0.4% and propylene glycol 0.3%) may be more efficacious in treating dry eye symptoms.5 Although, these studies are most often funded by the manufacturer of the more efficacious artificial tear, so the results may be biased and must be taken with a grain of salt. Overall, carboxymethylcellulose has proven efficacy and is an excellent initial option for clinicians and patients to choose to treat symptoms of dry eye syndrome.
References:
1. Simmons PA, Vehige JG. Clinical performance of a mid-viscosity artificial tear for dry eye treatment. Cornea. 2007 Apr;26(3):294-302. PMID: 17413956
2. Noecker RJ. Comparison of Initial Treatment Response to Two Enhanced-Viscosity Artificial Tears. Eye & Contact Lens 32(3): 148–152, 2006
3. American Academy of Ophthalmology Cornea/External Disease Panel. Preferred Practice Pattern® Guidelines. Dry Eye Syndrome. San Francisco, CA: Academy of Ophthalmology, 2013. Available at: www.aao.org/ppp.
4. Foster SC., Yuksel E., Anzaar F., et al. Dry Eye Syndrome Treatment & Management. Medscape Reference. WebMD LLC. Dec 16, 2013. Accessed Online: March 1, 2014. http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1210417-treatment
5. Cohen S., Martin A., Sall K. Evaluation of clinical outcomes in patients with dry eye disease using lubricant eye drops containing polyethylene glycol or carboxymethylcellulose. Clinical Ophthalmology. 2014:8 157–164