Alcon Inc. presents a video on tear film abnormalities in dry eye conditions and the mechanism of action of Systane Ultra eye drops. Published with permission of Alcon Labs. All rights reserved by Alcon Inc. Copyright 2010. Dr. Cohen serves as a paid consultant to Alcon Inc. yet has no commercial interest in this product and received no funding to host this video.
Dry eye syndrome is a condition caused by changes in the quantity or quality of your tears the tear film comprises three layers the outer lipid layer includes components like cholesterol fatty acids and phospholipids some components serve to increase lubricity and prevent evaporation while other polar lipids can join with some of the mucins to create greater cohesive
‘Ti of the tear film the middle aqueous layer contains numerous essential nutrients supportive of the ocular surface environment it is water-based and includes components such as lysozyme immunoglobulins sodium and some soluble mucins the mucin layer components include silicic acid hyaluronic acid and mucins such as mu c 1 2 4 16 and 5a see some mucins form a
Cushioning viscoelastic matrix that both protects the ocular surface and provides the even surface necessary for good vision whilst other mutants function in a blue light fashion securing the tear layer to the micro villi and glycocalyx the blink mechanism is when the upper lid sweeps down and the lower lid rises to meet it lids sweep debris away and push the tear
Layer like a tidal wave the tear layer compresses to a fraction of its former thickness absorbing the energy of the blink and replenishing itself evenly across the corneal surface within milliseconds of the lids passage the tear layer reforms in both structure and function the energy of the blink harmlessly dissipated if tears break up too quickly the mucins no
Longer function adequately to sustain tear layer cohesion and surface protection this may be observed clinically as areas of rapid flora seen break up as the tear film breaks up the lipid and aqueous layers dry up causing the mucin layer to diffuse away leaving the ocular surface bare and exposed this enables an inflammatory cascade sometimes irreversible damage
Occurs the patient becomes increasingly symptomatic and often experiences visual disturbance in treating ocular surface disease a therapy that allows the ocular environment to return to normal is the first step the intelligent delivery system of sustained ultra consisting of hp guar borate and sorbitol enables the ingredients polyethylene glycol and propylene glycol
To lubricate and provide protection as this intelligent delivery system interacts with the tear film the ph adjusts to the natural ph of the eye optimizing the viscosity of the solution this allows for a comfortable installation by improved spreading of the drop over the ocular surface with less blur which then becomes more elastic and structured as it interacts
With the now hydrophobic areas of damaged cornea after the initial coating forms sustained ultra lubricant eyedrops interact with divalent ions in the tear film releasing the sorbitol and allowing stronger cross linking between borate and hp guar the result is a tightly structured protective matrix over damaged areas of the ocular surface hb guar does not affect
The shear properties of the fluid which remain low to aid the eyelid blink mechanism however the tensile strength of the hb guar and borate bond increases which helps reduce tear film breakup hp guar and borate bind to areas on the cornea that lack normal architecture the hp guar matrix that forms serves as a bandage which promotes healing of the disrupted ocular
Surface and may eventually lead to a return to normalcy for the tear layer by working with the tear film chemistry and eyelid mechanics this highly structured protective matrix provides retention of the demulcent to allow for long-lasting lubrication and surface protection
Transcribed from video
Alcon Dry Eye Video and Systane Ultra Action By DrShawnCohen
