Liposomal eye spray is a drug from the field of ophthalmology (ophthalmology) for the treatment of dry eye. The mode of action of the spray is based on the knowledge that more than 80% of people who complain of the symptom “dry eyes” do not have a lack of tear fluid, but rather a disorder of the lipid layer as a triggering factor. The use of liposomal ophthalmic spray can achieve both stabilization of the tear film and regulation of the moisturization of the corneal surface (corneal surface).
Indications (areas of application)
- Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (dry eye syndrome; wetting disorder of the conjunctiva and cornea due to disruption of one or more components of the tear film)
- Sjögren’s syndrome (group of sicca syndromes) – autoimmune disease from the group of collagenoses, which leads to a chronic inflammatory disease of the exocrine glands, most often the salivary and lacrimal glands; typical sequelae include keratoconjunctivitis sicca (dry eye syndrome) due to lack of wetting of the cornea and conjunctiva with tear fluid.
- Office eye syndrome (an occupation at the PC can be associated with a drying of the tear film, because the blink frequency is reduced by up to 90% compared to screen-independent activities).
- Environmental pollution (exhaust fumes, fertilizers from agriculture, etc.).
- Low humidity (air conditioning in cars, offices and airplanes (10-15% relative humidity); underfloor heating, night storage heater (circa 20% relative humidity); normal humidity is between 40-60%.
- Hormonal changes during menopause (the time of the last spontaneous menstruation of the woman).
- Medication (beta blockers, psychotropic drugs, sleeping pills, etc.).
Contraindications
- None
The procedure
The principle of liposomal ophthalmic spray is based on the knowledge that due to a disturbance in the structure of the tear film containing liposomes can lead to the appearance of the symptom “dry eye”. The liposomes themselves consist of microscopically small fat molecules, which contain water vacuoles (water deposits) in their interior. These phospholipids (surface-active fat molecules) are used as a therapeutically effective drug to correct the lipid layer of the eye. The lipid layer itself is an extremely thin layer that serves to protect the underlying aqueous portion of the tear film. If this protection is lost as a result of, for example, a genetic disposition, the tear film may dry out because the evaporation of the fluid cannot be prevented. For application (use) of the liposomal eye spray:
- The patient closes the eyes so that the lipid layer between the eyelids is compressed
- Subsequently, the patient sprays the eye spray at a distance of 10 to 20 cm on the closed eye, which initially prevents direct contact of the substance with the tear film
- After application of the spray, the liposomes can now reach the edge of the eyelid and from there correct the lipid layer of the tear film for a few hours (usually up to four hours)
The effect of this medication is based on the provision of the lipid portion of the tear film, which is physiologically produced by the meibomian glands. In addition to preventing the evaporation effect, the lipid film increases the surface tension. The combination of the hydrophobic property (water repellent) of the lipid layer and the increased surface tension can thus effectively prevent droplet infection as well. Due to this, the use of liposomal eye spray not only achieves evaporation of the aqueous portion of the tear film, but at the same time effectively reduces the risk of infection at the cornea. In addition, the nutritional function of the cornea and the oxygenation of the tissue are also mentioned as other properties of the aqueous portion of the tear film. The aforementioned effect of preventing infection is further enhanced by proteins (albumen) in the tear film, as these have antibacterial and immunomodulatory effects (promoting the body’s defense response). The enzyme (active protein) lysozyme and the substance NLAF (non-lysozyme antibacterial factor) should be emphasized here.
Possible complications
- None
Benefit
The added phospholipids in the form of the spray gives the patient the opportunity to have normal evaporation and infection protection for the eye. A majority of patients report significantly improved subjective well-being after application of the spray. Furthermore, use of the medication does not impair visual performance.