Work

Improvement of dryness symptoms at the end of the day with artificial tear

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Systane COMPLETE Preservative-Free in improving symptoms of occasional dryness, particularly towards the end of the day. METHODS: A multicentric longitudinal prospective study was conducted. Participants were required to have an Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) score between 13 and 32 (mild-to-moderate symptoms of dryness). Subjects used Systane COMPLETE Preservative-Free four times a day (upon waking, at midday, in the afternoon, and two hours before bedtime) for one month. Weekly questionnaires were administered, and a review was conducted at the beginning and end of the study. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare OSDI, DEQ-5, Efron scale scores, and corneal staining using the Oxford scale. Correlations between environmental variables and symptom scores were also analyzed. RESULTS: This sample included 19 men and 67 women with a mean age of 42.6 ± 13.2. Statistically significant improvements were observed in both questionnaires (OSDI and DEQ-5) across all visits (p < 0.01) reducing the score to less than half, particularly with a decrease in symptoms at the final visit after artificial tear use (DEQ-5). The DEQ-5 questionnaire score at the initial visit correlates (Spearman's Rho) with limbal hyperemia (ρ = 0.24; p = 0.02), and conjunctival staining (ρ = 0.28; p < 0.01). The OSDI questionnaire score correlates with conjunctival staining (ρ = 0.38; p = 0.03). Moreover, the DEQ-5 questionnaire score showed correlations with several environmental factors (ρ = 0.23-0.33; p < 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Systane COMPLETE Preservative-Free has proven effective in improving moderate ocular dryness symptoms, as measured by the OSDI questionnaire, as well as end-of-day dryness, as assessed by the DEQ-5.

Source: Journal of Optometry

DOI: 10.1016/j.optom.2026.100608

Authors: C Baños, R. Garcia-Garcia, B. Garcia-Garcia, G. Martinez-Alias, P. Canadas-Suarez, I. Sanchez

Institutions: Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Universidad de Valladolid

Language: English

Topic: Ocular Surface and Contact Lens

Subfield: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,030