Oxidative Preservatives and Dry Eye

Preservatives

Preservatives are added to ophthalmic preparations to protect against pathogenic microbes and maintain drug potency.

In microbes, they alter cell membranes, inhibit cell metabolism or otherwise interfere with cell function.

Most preservatives have some degree of cytotoxicity in human eyes, particularly with long-term therapy, multiple preserved drugs, and inadequate tear production to wash out the preservative.

Oxidative Preservatives

On the other hand, oxidative preservatives break down into natural tear components when exposed to light.

OcuPure™ preservative (Advanced Medical Optics), is an oxidative preservative.

A mixture of 80% chlorite, 11% sodium chloride, water and trace electrolytes, it breaks down into sodium and chloride ions, oxygen and water when exposed to light.

OcuPure™ preservative is effective against ocular pathogenic microorganisms and is benign to the eye.

Oxidative Agents in Dry Eye

In one study¹, oxidative preservatives were found to be safe and tolerable for patients with mild-to-moderate dry eye (N=62) who were treated four to eight times a day for 4 weeks, thus preparations with low-risk preservatives may benefit patients with dry eye. ■

Reference

1. Noecker R. Effects of common ophthalmic preservatives on ocular health. Adv Therapy. 2001;18:205-215.

Did You Know?
■ Blink® Tears with OcuPure™ preservative is preservative-free in the eye. ■ COMPLETE® MPS EASY RUB™ Formula is indicated for use with soft contact lenses. ■ Wet eyes can be a sign of dry eye. Wet eyes typically are caused by irritation and rubbing on the cornea.

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