The Latest Preservative Free Options from ALCON For Dry-Eye Relief

Tailoring symptom relief for a patient with dry eye disease demands consideration of many factors, including the causes, manifestations, and severity of symptoms, as well as a patient’s lifestyle and individual preferences. Patients rely on their Eye Care Professional’s recommendations and require professional guidance to properly manage their dry eye symptoms with the right eye drops that target their specific needs.

Of course, air quality and screen time contribute to dry eye symptoms such as irritation, burning, blurriness, and eye fatigue, while factors such as postmenopausal estrogen use and cataract surgery may play an increasing role in symptoms.⁶˒⁷

A key factor in symptom management is whether a patient needs periodic, fast symptom relief, long-lasting relief of more severe, chronic symptoms or all-in-one relief.

Some patients may also prefer or require preservative-free options. Alcon has been a leader in supporting Eye Care Professionals in managing dry eye symptoms through its growing family of Systane® artificial tears. The latest members of this family are the preservative-free formulations of Systane® ULTRA, Systane® HYDRATION and Systane® COMPLETE Lubricant Eye Drops, each available in a multi-dose bottle. The patented bottle design has a one-way valve and PureFlow™ filtration system to avoid contamination. 

All Systane® products contain Hydroxypropyl- Guar, also called HP-Guar, a gelling agent, which covers the ocular surface by forming a structured polymer network, which lubricates the eye during blinking.⁴ The mechanism reduces the blinking friction.²

In other words, HP-Guar acts as an elastic matrix that shields the eye – for effective dry eye symptom relief.⁴

In addition to HP-Guar, Systane® ULTRA contains polyethylene glycol (PEG) and propylene glycol (PG), spreading across and moisturizing the damaged ocular surface.4 As a result, it provides fast-acting protection for the aqueous-deficient dry eye.⁴˒⁵

Systane® HYDRATION contains Hyaluronic Acid (HA) in addition to HP-Guar, resulting in a dual-polymer formula that provides long-lasting hydration protection and relief for those suffering from moderate, chronic dry eye.²–⁴

Alcon developed Systane® COMPLETE to offer symptom relief for all major types of dry eye.1 The all-in-one formula contains nano-sized lipid droplets, which replenish the top lipid layer of the tear film, repairing gaps and providing more complete coverage of the lipid layer and offering effective treatment for your patients.¹˒⁸

References: 1. Silverstein S, Yeu E, Tauber J, et al. Symptom Relief Following a Single Dose of Propylene Glycol-Hydroxypropyl Guar Nanoemulsion in Patients with Dry Eye Disease: A Phase IV, Multicenter Trial. Clin Ophthalmol. 2020;14:3167-3177. 2. Rangarajan R, Kraybill B, Ogundele A, Ketelson H. Effects of a Hyaluronic Acid/Hydroxypropyl Guar Artificial Tear Solution on Protection, Recovery, and Lubricity in Models of Corneal Epithelium. J. Ocul. Pharmacol. Ther. 2015;31(8):491-497. 3. Rolando M, Autori S, Badino F, Barabino S. Protecting the ocular surface and improving the quality of life of dry eye patients: a study of the efficacy of an HP-guar containing ocular lubricant in a population of dry eye patients. J Ocul Pharmacol Ther. 2009;25(3):271-278. 4. Davitt WF, Bloomenstein M, Christensen M, Martin AE. Efficacy in patients with dry eye after treatment with a new lubricant eye drop formulation. J Ocul Pharmacol Ther. 2010;26(4):347-353. 5. Christensen MT, Martin AE, Bloomenstein M. A comparison of efficacy between Systane Ultra and Optive lubricant eye drops when tested with dry eye patients. Optometry. 2009;80(6):315. 6. MarketScope LLC. 2020 Dry Eye Products Market Report: A Global Market Analysis for 2019 to 2025. St. Louis, MO: MarketScope LLC; 2020. 7. Craig JP, Nelson JD, Azar DT, et al. TFOS DEWS II Report Executive Summary. Ocul Surf. 2017;15(4):802-812. 8. Rangarajan R, Ketelson H. Preclinical evaluation of a new hydroxypropyl-guar phospholipid nanoemulsion-based artificial tear formulation in models of corneal epithelium. J Ocul Pharmacol Ther. 2019;35(1):32-37.