The relief of dry eye signs and symptoms using a combination of lubricants, lid hygiene and ocular nutraceuticals

PURPOSE: To determine the combined effect of TheraTears(®) Lubricant Eye Drops, TheraTears(®) SteriLid Eyelid Cleanser, and TheraTears(®) Nutrition on dry eye signs and symptoms. METHODS: This prospective study enrolled 28 dry eye participants. Participants were instructed to use the Lubricant Eye Drops at least 2–4× a day, SteriLid 1–2× a day, and Nutrition 3 gel caps once a day. Participants were followed up at baseline, 1 month and 3 months. Outcome variables were the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI), Symptom Assessment iN Dry Eye (SANDE) questionnaire, non-invasive tear break-up time (NIBUT), osmolarity, number of meibomian glands blocked (#MG blocked), meibum quality, eyelid margin features, Schirmer's test, tear film lipid layer thickness (LLT), meniscus height, corneal and conjunctival staining. RESULTS: Twenty participants (mean age = 43, from 23 to 66, 17F, 3M) completed the study. Participants reported having used, on average, the Lubricant Eye Drop 2.4×/day, the SteriLid 1.1×/day, and the Nutrition 3 gel caps 1×/day. There was a significant change over time (p < 0.05) for OSDI (−21.2 points), SANDE (−32.4 points), NIBUT (+0.43 s), eyelid margin features (−1.1 grade), meibum quality (−1.0 grade), and #MG blocked (−4.0 glands). CONCLUSION: By using a combination of TheraTears(®) Lubricant Eye Drop, SteriLid, and Nutrition, patients experience significant relief in both dry eye symptoms and signs.