The Effects of 3% Trehalose Ophthalmic Solution on Corneal Epithelial Barrier Function

The aim of this study is to recruit moderate to severe dry eye subjects, enroll them in a randomized contralateral eye-controlled trial with an ophthalmic solution containing trehalose 3% in sterile borate buffered saline in one eye and sterile buffered saline in the contralateral eye. The investigators will accomplish this by enrolling a clinic-based sample, undertaking a standardized examination involving signs and symptoms of dry eye, fluorometry, as well as clinical tear and ocular surface measures at baseline and at one-month post-treatment.

Inclusion criteria

• Adult subjects, > age 18 years, with moderate-to-severe dry eye, defined as fitting criteria for dry eye stages 3 or 4 of the MGD Workshop Management and Treatment subcommittee report.
• Subjects must have normal eyelid position and closure.
• For enrollment as aqueous tear deficiency, subjects must have a Schirmer I result of < 5.0 mm wetting in 5 minutes without anesthesia.

Exclusion criteria

• History or evidence of ocular or intraocular surgery in either eye within the past twelve months. LASIK and other kerato-refractive procedure patients can qualify if the most recent surgery or enhancement was 12 or more months prior.
• History or evidence of serious ocular trauma in either eye within the past six months.
• History of hypersensitivity to any component of the study medications.
• History or evidence of epithelial herpes simplex keratitis (dendritic keratitis); vaccinia, active or recent varicella, viral disease of the cornea and/or conjunctiva; chronic bacterial disease of the cornea and/or conjunctiva; mycobacterial infection of the eye; and/or fungal disease of the eye.
• History or evidence of active ocular allergy.
• Females who are pregnant, nursing, or planning a pregnancy during the study.
• Evidence of greater than mild eyelid deformity (e.g., ectropion, entropion, ptosis).
• Use of concomitant topical ocular medications during the study duration.
• Individuals using systemic steroids, immunosuppressive agents and/or anti-cholinergic (e.g. cold and allergy medications, tricyclic antidepressants) for treatment of autoimmune connective tissue disease may not be enrolled in the study if they have not been on a stable dosing regimen for a minimum of 30 days prior to the visit.
• Individuals with uncontrolled diabetes or history or evidence of peripheral neuropathy.
• Active intraocular inflammatory conditions such as iritis.
• Individuals wearing rigid gas permeable or scleral contact lenses within the previous six months of enrollment. Subjects can have worn soft lenses, but not within one month prior to enrollment.
• Individuals using punctual plugs inserted within 30 days of study start.