RT Journal Article
T1 Effects of HP-Guar Nano-emulsion Artificial Tears on Symptoms and Severity of Meibomian Gland Dysfunction in Evaporative Dry Eye During a 90-Day Longitudinal Study
A1 Pena Verdeal, Hugo
A1 García Queiruga, Jacobo
A1 Castro Giráldez, Alba
A1 Sabucedo Villamarín, Belén
A1 García Resúa, Carlos
A1 Giráldez Fernández, María Jesús
A1 Yebra-Pimentel Vilar, Eva
K1 Evaporative dry eye
K1 HP-Guar nano-emulsion
K1 Meibomian gland dysfunction
K1 Ocular inflammation
K1 Tear film stability
AB Background: To evaluate whether hydroxypropyl-guar (HP-Guar) nano-emulsion artificial tears improve symptoms, quality of life, severity of meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) and evaporative dry eye (EDE)-related parameters in mild-to-moderate EDE participants over 90 days.Methods: Fifty-one mild-to-moderate EDE participants were recruited for a single-masked, longitudinal clinical trial without a control group or placebo. Inclusion criteria comprised: Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) between 13–32 points; at least one positive diagnostic sign (Non-Invasive Tear Break-Up Time [NIBUT] <10 s and/or corneal staining >1) and two classification signs (Tear Meniscus Height [TMH] ≥0.20 and ≤0.50 mm and MGD score ≥5 points). Participants applied 1–2 drops of HP-Guar nano-emulsion artificial tears per eye, four times daily for 90 days, with follow-up assessments at baseline, 30, 60 and 90 days. Three groups of tests were conducted each session: DED symptomatology and quality of life (OSDI, EuroQol 5-Dimension 5-Level [EQ-5D-5L]), MGD severity (MGD score, meibomian gland loss area [MGLA]) and EDE-related parameters (meibomian gland expression [MGE], Meibometry, lipid layer pattern (LLP), NIBUT, ocular redness and corneal staining).Results: Significant differences in OSDI score, EQ-5D-5L in the ‘Healthy today’ scale, MGD score, lower eyelid MGLA and LLP were observed across sessions (all p ≤ 0.03). However, no significant differences were found in EQ-5D-5L score, upper eyelid MGLA, MGE, Meibometry, NIBUT-first, NIBUT-average, limbal or bulbar redness in any area or corneal staining (all p ≥ 0.09).Conclusions: This 90‑day single‑masked study without a control group found that HP‑Guar nano‑emulsion eye drops were associated with improvements in symptoms, perceived health and MGD‑related signs. These findings are exploratory and require confirmation in controlled trials.
PB Springer
YR 2026
FD 2026-04-27
LK https://hdl.handle.net/10347/46993
UL https://hdl.handle.net/10347/46993
LA eng
NO Pena-Verdeal, H., García-Queiruga, J., Castro-Giráldez, A., Sabucedo Villamarín, B., García Resúa, C., Giráldez Fernández, M.J., & Yebra-Pimentel, E. (2026). Effects of HP-Guar Nano-emulsion Artificial Tears on Symptoms and Severity of Meibomian Gland Dysfunction in Evaporative Dry Eye During a 90-Day Longitudinal Study. Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44402-026-00089-1
NO This research was partially funded by an Alcon Investigator Initiated Trial (IIT reference number #86928491). Open Access funding provided thanks to the CRUE-CSIC agreement with Springer Nature.
DS Minerva
RD 24 may 2026