EFFICACY OF CATIONIC EMULSION AND CARBOXYMETHYL-CELLULOSE 0,5% FOR DRY EYE TREATMENT IN POST MENOPAUSAL WOMEN

Dr Novita Eka Sukma Putri*; Dr.dr Ratna Sitompul, SpM (K)*; dr Made Susiyanti, SpM*; dr Eva Suarthana, MSc, PhD+

*Department of Ophthalmology, +Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Indonesia/Dr Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital Jakarta.

Purpose
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of cationic emulsion and CMC 0,5% in post-menopausal women with dry eye

Methods
A randomized, double-masked clinical trial was conducted in polyclinic Ophthalmology Department during March-April 2009. Forty-six post menopausal women with dry eye were included in the study. The subjects were randomized into two groups. Group 1 received cationic emulsion and group 2 received CMC 0,5%. Tear film break-up time (TFBUT), IBI and OPI were evaluated before treatment, day 1, 7 and 14 after treatment. The dry eye symptom severity score was evaluated before treatment, day 7 and 14 after treatment with OSDI questionnaire

Results
The cationic emulsion had significantly better OPI score and TFBUT value on day 1, 7 and 14 compared to CMC 0,5% group (p<0,001). There were no significant differences between groups on IBI value between groups on day 7 and 14 (p>0,05). The severity symptom score on cationic emulsion group was significantly lower compared to CMC 0,5% on day 14 (p<0,001). The subjective complaints after using both eye drops were visual disturbance, foreign body sensation, and itchy eyes. All complaints were only reported first follow-up (day 7).

Conclusion
Cationic emulsion in this study had a clearly beneficial effect both in increasing OPI score and lowering subjective symptom score in the treatment of dry eye for post menopausal women.

Keywords: cationic emulsion, CMC 0,5%, OPI, dry eye, post menopausal women