Effects of topical low-dose preservative-free hydrocortisone on intraocular pressure in patients affected by ocular surface disease with and without glaucoma

PURPOSE

This study aims to investigate the safety and efficacy of short-term treatment for ocular surface disease (OSD) with topical low-dose (1,005 mg) preservative-free hydrocortisone in one hundred patients with and without glaucoma.

METHODS

This was an open label non-randomized clinical trial. Patients with OSD with and without primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) received topical low-dose (1,005 mg) preservative-free hydrocortisone twice daily in each eye for 2 weeks. All patients underwent a complete ophthalmological examination at baseline (T0) and at 1 (T1) and 2 (T2) weeks post-treatment. At each visit, the intraocular pressure (IOP) and the ocular surface disease index (OSDI) questionnaire scores were recorded; the Schirmer test was performed only at T0 and T2.

RESULTS

The OSDI score significantly decreased in both the POAG and no-POAG groups (both p < 0.0001) after hydrocortisone treatment, with no difference between the two groups (p = 0.72). There were no significant differences in IOP and Schirmer test results between T0 and T2 in both treatment groups (p = 0.68 and p = 0.83, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Topical low-dose (1,005 mg) preservative-free hydrocortisone is safe and effective for improving OSD symptoms both in patients with and without POAG.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov under NCT04536129 on 01/09/2020 ("retrospectively registered").

Effects of an antioxidant protective topical formulation on eye exposed to ultraviolet-irradiation: a study in rabbit animal model

Ultraviolet-radiation exerts a well-known role in the development of various ocular diseases and may contribute to the progress of age-related macular degeneration. Therefore, the use of compounds able to protect the eyes from UV-induced cellular damage is challenging. The aim of this study has been to test the protective effects of an antioxidant topical formulation against UV-induced damage in rabbit eyes. Twelve male rabbits were used. Animals were divided into 4 groups of 3 animals each. Control group (CG) did not receive any irradiation and/or eye drop. The other three experimental groups were treated as follows: the first group received only UVR irradiation for 30 min, without eye drop supplementation (Irradiation group, IG), the second (G30) and the third (G60) groups received UV irradiation for 30' and 60', respectively, and eye drop supplementation (riboflavin, d-alpha-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol, proline, glycine, lysine and leucine solution) every 15 min for three hours. In the IG group a significant increase of oxidized glutathione (GSSG) and hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) was recorded in the aqueous humor, whereas ascorbic acid levels were significantly lower when compared to control eyes. In the groups exposed to UVR rays for 30 min, and treated with the topical antioxidant formulation, the GSSG, H(2)O(2) and ascorbic acid levels were similar to those recorded in controls, whereas in the G60 group the three markers significantly differ from control group. In the lens, a significant decrease of alpha tocopherol and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) was recorded in IG-animals as compared to control group, whereas malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were significantly higher in UV-induced eye than in control eyes. In the G30 groups the alpha tocopherol, MDA and TAC levels do not significantly differ from those recorded in controls, whereas in the G60 group these three markers significantly differ from control group. Present findings demonstrate that topical treatment with the antioxidant formulation used herein protects ocular structures from oxidative stress induced by UV exposure in in vivo animal model.