Cross-linked Hyaluronic Acid and Coenzyme Q10 in the Treatment of Dry Eye

Background: Dry eye disease (DED) is a common condition causing burden on visual function and reducing quality of life. Corticosteroids and/or cyclosporine eye drops are able to improve DED symptoms, however, side effects of immune suppression and cost lead patients often to suspend treatment. Consequently, is important to identify therapies alleviating DED symptoms. A randomized, controlled, single masked study, was performed in 40 patients affected by mild to moderate DED, to evaluate efficacy and safety of a collyrium based on cross-linked hyaluronic acid (XLHA) added with Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) in comparison to an eye drop considered a gold standard for tear substitutes, based on hyaluronic acid (HA) 0.15%. Methods: eye drops were administered four times a day for 90 days to enrolled subjects divided in two groups: group A treated with XLHA+CoQ10, group B treated with HA. Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire, visual acuity, intraocular pressure (IOP), fundus exam, tear break-up time (TBUT), corneal and conjunctival fluorescein staining, corneal esthesiometry, corneal confocal microscopy, were performed at different visits until the 90th day.