Soothe Your Dry Eyes: Understanding Trehalose Eye Drops

Are your eyes feeling dry, itchy, or irritated?

 You might be experiencing Dry Eye Syndrome (DES). This common condition can significantly impact your daily life. Fortunately, advancements in eye care have led to the development of innovative eye drops, such as those containing Trehalose Dihydrate. In this blog, we’ll delve into the details of Dry Eye Syndrome, its symptoms, and how Trehalose can provide relief.

What is Dry Eye Syndrome (DES)?

 

 

Dry Eye Syndrome (DES), also known as keratoconjunctivitis sicca, is a common condition where the eyes do not produce enough tears or the tears evaporate too quickly. This leads to inflammation and damage to the eye’s surface. The prevalence of DES increases with age, affecting a significant portion of the population, particularly postmenopausal women. Environmental factors, prolonged screen time, contact lens usage, and certain systemic diseases also contribute to the onset of dry eye symptoms.
 
 

Typical Symptoms of Dry Eye Syndrome

Individuals suffering from DES often report a variety of symptoms, which can range from mild to severe. The most common symptoms include:

  • Dryness and Redness of the eye:

    Persistent feeling of dryness and redness in the eyes.

  • Burning Sensation in the eye:

    A sensation of burning or stinging.

  • Itching of the eye:

    Persistent itching that often leads to rubbing of the eyes.

  • Foreign Body Sensation in the eye:

    Feeling like there is something gritty or sandy in the eye.

  • Blurred Vision:

    Intermittent blurry vision that often clears with blinking.

  • Sensitivity to Light:

    Increased sensitivity to light (photophobia).

  • Watery Eyes:

    Paradoxically, some people experience excessive tearing as the eye tries to compensate for dryness.

Lifestyle Factors Contributing to Dry Eye Syndrome in India

Several lifestyle factors prevalent in India can exacerbate Dry Eye Syndrome:

  • Pollution: India’s rising pollution levels, especially in urban areas, can significantly impact eye health. Air pollutants can irritate the eyes, leading to dryness and inflammation.
  • Increased Screen Time: With the growing dependence on digital devices, people in India are spending more time in front of screens. The blue light emitted by these devices can reduce tear production and contribute to dry eye symptoms.
  • Air Conditioning: While air conditioning provides relief from the heat, it can also lead to dry eyes by reducing humidity levels.
  • Nutritional Deficiencies: Certain nutritional deficiencies, such as Vitamin A deficiency, can affect tear production and contribute to dry eye.
  • Vitamin A Deficiency: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention – Cleveland Clinic

The Role of Trehalose in Dry Eye Management

Trehalose Dihydrate (3% w/v)

Trehalose is a naturally occurring disaccharide known for its exceptional protective properties. It plays a critical role in:

  • Osmoprotection:

    Trehalose stabilizes cell membranes and proteins, protecting epithelial cells from osmotic stress and desiccation.

  • Antioxidant Effect:

    It scavenges free radicals, thereby reducing oxidative stress on the ocular surface.

  • Autophagy Enhancement:

    Trehalose promotes the natural process of autophagy, helping to clear damaged cellular components and reduce inflammation.

  • Hydration:

    Trehalose is a powerful humectant, meaning it attracts and retains moisture. This helps to replenish the tear film and create a protective barrier on the eye’s surface.

  • Stability:

    Trehalose stabilizes the tear film, preventing excessive evaporation and reducing dryness.

  • Soothing:

    It has anti-inflammatory properties that can help soothe irritated eyes and reduce discomfort.

Sodium Hyaluronate (0.1% w/v)

Sodium Hyaluronate, a form of hyaluronic acid, is well-known for its high water retention capacity and viscoelastic properties. It contributes to:

  • Lubrication: Enhances the tear film stability and provides prolonged ocular surface hydration.
  • Wound Healing: Promotes epithelial healing and reduces friction during blinking.
  • Comfort: Provides a cushioning effect, improving overall comfort for the patient.

Carbomers (0.25% w/v)

Carbomers are synthetic polymers that act as thickening agents. In eye drops, they:

  • Prolonged Retention: Increase the viscosity of the solution, allowing it to stay longer on the ocular surface.
  • Improved Bioavailability: Enhance the bioavailability of other active ingredients by ensuring they remain in contact with the eye for a longer duration.

How Trehalose Acts on Dry Eye Syndrome

The inclusion of Trehalose in eye drops provides a unique advantage in the treatment of DES. Its mechanisms of action include:

  1. Protection Against Desiccation: Trehalose helps to maintain the structural integrity of the cells on the ocular surface by protecting them from dehydration. This is crucial for individuals exposed to dry environments or prolonged screen time.
  2. Stabilization of Cell Membranes: By stabilizing lipid bilayers, Trehalose ensures that the cells remain intact and functional even under stress conditions, thereby preventing cell death and promoting a healthier ocular surface.
  3. Reduction of Inflammatory Response: Trehalose mitigates oxidative stress and reduces inflammatory markers, which are often elevated in DES. This leads to a reduction in symptoms like redness and discomfort.
 

Conclusion

The combination of Trehalose Dihydrate, Sodium Hyaluronate, and Carbomers in eye drops offers a comprehensive solution for managing Dry Eye Syndrome. It has been observed by leading Ophthalmologists that Trehalose has a much better impact on Dry eyes compared to other compositions and usually within 3-5 days, tear film stability is seen to improve significantly. Trehalose’s protective and stabilizing properties, along with the hydrating and lubricating effects of Sodium Hyaluronate and the prolonged retention provided by Carbomers, make this formulation particularly effective. Eye drops like IT- HYT with Trehalose Dihydrate 3% w/v + Sodium Hyaluronate 0.1%w/v + Carbomers 0.25% w/v are extremely useful in alleviating Dry Eye Syndrome to a large extent. Regular use of these eye drops can significantly improve the quality of life for individuals suffering from DES by alleviating symptoms, protecting the ocular surface, and promoting overall eye health.

 

Recommendations for Use

For optimal results, patients are advised to follow the prescribed dosage and consult their ophthalmologist regularly to monitor their condition and adjust treatment as necessary. Ensuring proper application techniques and maintaining good eyelid hygiene are also crucial steps in managing Dry Eye Syndrome effectively.

References and Citations:

https://www.maxhealthcare.in/blogs/how-air-pollution-can-cause-eye-irritation#:~:text=Yes%2C%20prolonged%20exposure%20to%20air,redness%2C%20and%20more%20severe%20conditions.

https://www.eyelink.com/could-air-conditioning-be-causing-dry-eyes/#:~:text=Air%20conditioning%20reduces%20humidity%20levels,tears%20to%20evaporate%20more%20rapidly.

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23107-vitamin-a-deficiency#:~:text=As%20the%20vitamin%20A%20deficiency,to%20produce%20tears%20(xerophthalmia).

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dry-eyes/symptoms-causes/syc-20371863#:~:text=Decreased%20quality%20of%20life.,everyday%20activities%2C%20such%20as%20reading.

https://www.aoa.org/healthy-eyes/eye-and-vision-conditions/dry-eye?sso=y