ABSTRACT
Introduction: Although affecting an estimated 35% of the population, Dry Eye is not well understood by patients and the medical community. As a result, both in research and clinical settings, diagnostic and treatment protocols tend to be non-specific, ad hoc, and inadequate, with a narrow industry-driven focus. The purpose of this convening was to propose a research roadmap that orients Dry Eye researchers toward a comprehensive patient-centered approach to diagnosing and treating Dry Eye, Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), and related comorbidities with a goal of improving clinical outcomes for Dry Eye/MGD patients. Methods: Sixteen participants, including Dry Eye/MGD patients, caregivers, and patient advocates together with a group of experts in Dry Eye, MGD and other fields identified gaps in research on Dry Eye and MGD diagnostic and treatment approaches (age range 20-80; male to female ratio of 7:11; patients: 7). During a 2-day virtual convening, participants were assigned to topic-specific focus-group sessions to discuss and develop research questions pertaining to Dry Eye and MGD. The research questions were compiled into a proposed patient-centered roadmap for Dry Eye and MGD research. Two additional participants contributed to the proposed roadmap following the convening. Results: The focus groups identified over 80 patient-centered research questions important to patients and other stakeholders and compiled these into a proposed research roadmap. Conclusion: The convened stakeholders aim to establish a cohesive and comprehensive patient-centered approach to treating Dry Eye, Meibomian Gland Dysfunction, and comorbidities. The research roadmap will serve as a reference for researchers, educational institutions, clinicians, and others evaluating diagnostic and treatment protocols in Dry Eye and MGD.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Demonstrate that successful soft contact lens wearers using competitive multipurpose solutions report improvement in comfort with OPTI-FREE((R)) RepleniSH((R)) Multi-Purpose Disinfecting Solution (MPDS). METHODS: This 30-day, multicentered, open-label study enrolled 109 eligible soft contact lens wearers using COMPLETE((R)) Multi-Purpose Solution (MPS) Easy Rub((R)) or ReNu MultiPlus((R)) MPS. The test solution (OPTI-FREE((R)) RepleniSH((R)) MPDS) was dispensed for use in place of habitual care solutions. Subjects assessed their experience with their habitual solution (baseline) and the test solution (Day 30) using Likert-style questions. Contact lens acuity and biomicroscopy findings were recorded at each visit. RESULTS: The test solution was associated with a statistically significant improvement in instillation comfort (P = 0.02), end of day comfort (P < 0.0001), clear vision (P < 0.0001) and overall satisfaction (P < 0.001). Subjects reported the test solution enhanced their overall lens-wearing experience more effectively than their previous solution (P < 0.0001) and that they would continue test solution use after the study (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The test solution was effective at improving comfort and overall contact lens experience compared to COMPLETE((R)) MPS Easy Rub((R)) or ReNu MultiPlus((R)) MPS in successful contact lens wearers. These results indicate that changing contact lens care solutions, even in successful lens wearers, may improve comfort and overall lens-wearing experience.
