Relevance of Lipid-Based Products in the Management of Dry Eye Disease

Abstract

Components of the ocular surface synergistically contribute to maintaining and protecting a smooth refractive layer to facilitate the optimal transmission of light. At the air–water interface, the tear film lipid layer (TFLL), a mixture of lipids and proteins, plays a key role in tear surface tension and is important for the physiological hydration of the ocular surface and for ocular homeostasis. Alterations in tear fluid rheology, differences in lipid composition, or downregulation of specific tear proteins are found in most types of ocular surface disease, including dry eye disease (DED). Artificial tears have long been a first line of treatment in DED and aim to replace or supplement tears. More recently, lipid-containing eye drops have been developed to more closely mimic the combination of aqueous and lipid layers of the TFLL. Over the last 2 decades, our understanding of the nature and importance of lipids in the tear film in health and disease has increased substantially. The aim of this article is to provide a brief overview of our current understanding of tear film properties and review the effectiveness of lipid-based products in the treatment of DED. Liposome lid sprays, emulsion eye drops, and other lipid-containing formulations are discussed.

Introduction

Over the last 2 decades, our understanding of the nature and importance of lipids in the tear film in health and disease has increased substantially. In this review, we review the effectiveness of lipid-based products in the treatment of dry eye disease (DED), including liposome lid sprays, emulsion eye drops, and other lipid-containing formulations.

The ocular surface is a critical element of vision that includes the cornea, conjunctiva, lacrimal gland, accessory lacrimal glands, meibomian glands, tears, connective tissues, eyelashes and their associated glands of Moll and Zeis, and the nasolacrimal duct.¹ Each of these elements has a specific role; is controlled by nervous, endocrine, circulatory, and inflammatory systems; and synergistically contributes to maintaining and protecting the smooth refractive surface and transparency of the cornea for optimal transmission of light.^1,2 Lacrimal glands, accessory lacrimal glands, and meibomian glands secrete aqueous fluid, proteins, and lipids to form the tear film that hydrates the cornea.^1,3

The tear film was first described by Wolff et al. as 3 distinct layers: the outer lipid layer, the middle aqueous layer, and the inner mucin layer, which interacts with the corneal epithelial surface.^4,5 The aqueous layer contains electrolytes, proteins/peptides, and small-molecule metabolites.⁶ Mucins present in the deepest layer of the tear film, such as glycocalyx, mucin, and membrane-associated mucins, are released by goblet cells and maintain the wettability of the corneal surface.⁵ To date, several hundred tear proteins have been identified, including lysozyme and lactoferrin, which have antibacterial properties to protect the ocular surface from pathogens,^3,6 and lipocalin, which can intercalate with tear lipids to form an additional biphasic lipid layer not described in Wolff's original 3-layer model.^7,8

At the air–water interface, the outer layer, also called the tear film lipid layer (TFLL), is primarily composed of lipids that prevent water evaporation and ocular surface dewetting and provide a smooth optical surface for the cornea.^5,9–11 More recently, additional roles of the TFLL have been described, including maintenance of ocular homeostasis, optimization of tear spreading patterns, direction of aqueous flow to the puncta, and prevention of film overflow during blinking.^11,12 Lipids are released by the meibomian glands located in the eyelids, both during blinking and under the control of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide; the composition of these lipids may be affected by ATP stimulation of purinergic receptors expressed on the meibomian glands.⁷

The TFLL is composed primarily of nonpolar lipids (wax esters and cholesterol esters), but small amounts of polar lipids (phospholipids) have also been found in the TFLL from human and laboratory animals. The hydrophilic polar lipids act as an interface between the aqueous layer and the nonpolar lipid surface layer.^7,13,14 The wax ester in the nonpolar surface layer is thought to delay evaporation,^15,16 but its exact role is controversial, as recent evaporation studies and rheology have questioned the ability of wax esters to prevent tear evaporation in vivo.^15,17

The TFLL also includes fatty acids and fatty alcohols (including acetic acid) that act as surfactants to stabilize the lipid–water mixture.^7,11 The fatty acid–lysophospholipid balance is governed by the amounts of cholesterol and/or epicholesterol, glycerols, and lysophospholipids in the TFLL. More recently, amphiphilic lipids, such as cholesteryl sulfate, O-acyl-ω-hydroxy fatty acids, various sphingolipids, and phospholipids, were found in the human TFLL.¹⁸ The lipid and protein components of the TFLL play a key role in tear surface tension and are important for the physiological hydration of the ocular surface and ocular homeostasis.^5,11,12,14

Pathophysiology and Treatment of Ocular Surface Disease

The ocular surface is affected by medications (eg, antiglaucoma drugs), contact lens wear, and ocular surface diseases^6,19 such as DED, blepharitis, and ocular allergies. DED can be classified into aqueous tear deficient, evaporative, and mixed forms depending on its etiology.²⁰ Evaporative DED, typically caused by meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), is attributed to a qualitative and/or quantitative defect of the lipid layer that leads to tear film instability.²⁰ Patients lacking a visible lipid layer, or those with a nonconfluent TFLL, have a 4-fold higher rate of tear film evaporation than those with a continuous lipid layer regardless of lipid layer thickness.²¹ Alterations in tear fluid rheology or lipid composition or the downregulation of specific tear proteins are found in most types of DED; for example, alterations in the phospholipid content, potentially due to bacterial lipase–mediated hydrolysis of phospholipids into lysophospholipids, can lead to DED^7,11,18,22

The first line of therapy for DED is aimed at relieving patient symptoms.²³ In MGD, gland obstructions can be cleared by warm compresses and self-administered lid massages, by thermal pulsation treatment (eg, LipiFlow) or by intraductal meibomian gland probing.^24,25 In DED, artificial tears are used to replace or supplement tears.²⁶

Lipid-containing eye drops have been proposed as a step closer to natural tears because they more closely mimic the aqueous and lipid layers.²⁷ Such lipid-based agents would be expected to benefit patients with DED (particularly the evaporative form of DED), as well as related ocular surface diseases (eg, diseases of allergic/infectious origin such as allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, or other conditions such as contact lens discomfort). In tear film-oriented therapy (TFOT), treatment is tailored based on analysis of tear film dynamics, which includes identification of the damaged ocular surface or tear film component in the patient with DED.²⁸ Because the TFOT tailors treatment to a specific component of DED pathophysiology, TFOT is becoming a recommended treatment paradigm in Japan.²⁸

Additionally, topical therapeutic options are available to individually treat each layer of the ocular surface in patients with DED. Randomized clinical trials of water-based eye drops containing sodium hyaluronate, carboxymethylcellulose, or carbomers have demonstrated improvements in DED symptoms, corneal wound healing, tear osmolarity, and tear film break-up time.^29–32 However, as the lacrimal fluid also contains a combination of lipids, and given that changes in tear lipid composition can lead to DED, lipid-containing eye drops have emerged as an alternative therapy to water-based-only artificial tears.^20,22,33

Lipid-based products are designed to mimic the tear film and provide long-lasting lubrication to the eye surface, but it remains uncertain if they can fully replenish the TFLL.^15,22

A recent publication by McCann et al. reported that lipid-based eye drops decreased tear film osmolarity and improved tear film stability and corneal staining more effectively than water-based eye drops containing sodium hyaluronate and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose in patients with mild-to-moderate evaporative DED.³⁴ Furthermore, a systematic literature review of randomized controlled studies revealed strong clinical evidence for the effective use of lipid-containing lubricants in the treatment of DED.³⁵ Of note, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Code of Federal Regulations Title 21 part 349 recommends that lipids can be used as “emollients” (or “lubricants”) in ophthalmic products (eg, lanolin, light mineral oil, mineral oil, paraffin, petrolatum, white ointment, white wax, and yellow wax) indicated for “the temporary relief of burning and irritation due to dryness of the eye” or “the use as a lubricant to prevent further irritation or to relieve dryness of the eye.”³⁶

Lipid-Based Therapies

Liposomes

Liposomes are bilayered lipid vesicles, structurally classified as small unilamellar or multilamellar, with a particle size of 10 nm to 1 μm, although they can sometimes be larger (Fig. 1, 1a, b).³⁷ Biodegradable and biocompatible in nature, liposomes are mainly composed of phosphatidylcholines (phospholipids) and other constituents such as cholesterol and lipid-conjugated polymers. For therapeutic use they are prepared by thin-film hydration methods followed by 5-cycle sonication, which results in a more uniform particle size, ranging from 0.1 to 1 μm in diameter, that is ideal for drug loading.^37–39

FIG. 1.

Schematic representations of various lipid-based products, including unilamellar liposomes (1a), multilamellar liposomes (1b), anionic emulsions (2a), cationic emulsions (2b), SLNs (3a), NLCs (3b). SLN, solid lipid nanoparticle; NLC, nanostructured lipid carrier.

Liposomal formulations were first proposed as drug delivery vehicles in ophthalmology to enhance ocular drug penetration. Drug-loaded liposomal eye drops (eg, ciprofloxacin, acetazolamide, and tacrolimus) have been tested over the last decade to treat various ocular disorders of both the anterior and posterior segments, including infections, DED, corneal transplant rejection, glaucoma, and uveitis.^37,40 In addition, nondrug-loaded liposomal lid sprays were more recently introduced for the treatment of DED with the aim of renewing the TFLL.^40–42

Several products in this category, such as Tears Again^® (Optima Pharmazeutische GmbH; also marketed as Optrex ActiMist^® and Eye Logic Liposomal Spray^®), Clarimist^®, and Vyseo^® Sensitive are made of soy lecithin, which is mainly composed of the phospholipid phosphatidylcholine.⁸ Other components include lipophilic vitamins with potential ocular-protective properties (eg, vitamins A and E), ethanol, water, and sodium chloride. Liposomal sprays are simply applied onto the outside of the lids, and the polar phospholipids diffuse from the lid surface to the tear film and thus supplement the TFLL. This provides lubrication, helps prevent tear film evaporation, and alleviates DED symptoms.^37,42

The tolerability of liposomal preparations is dictated by their surface tension, pH, osmolarity, and viscosity.³⁸ In one study, a nondrug-loaded liposomal formulation containing phosphatidylcholine, cholesterol, and vitamin E achieved values for each of these parameters close to the physiological range (surface tension ≈30 mN/m, pH 6.45 ± 0.09, osmolarity 289.43 ± 3.28 mOsm, and viscosity 1.82 ± 0.02 mPa • s) and was well tolerated in a rabbit model when administered every 30 min for 6 h (Table 1).³⁸ The formulation induced minimal corneal and conjunctival cytotoxicity, with a cell viability greater than 95% after 15 min of exposure.³⁸ In a rabbit model of dry eye treated with liposome-encapsulated tetracycline, tear break-up time and Schirmer's test values were significantly improved and associated with a restoration of corneal and conjunctival cytological architecture after daily liposome administration for 7 days.⁴³

Table 1.

Representative Preclinical Studies Performed with Lipid-Based Products

Lipid-based product family	Brand name	Main components	Study design	Study main results	Ref.
Liposome	Under development	PC, Ch, vitamin E (8:1:0.08 mg/mL)	Cellular viability in mouse macrophage cell line RAW 264.7, immortalized human corneal–limbal epithelial cells (HCLE cells) and normal human conjunctival cells with MTT method	Low cytotoxicity	38
			Rabbit in vivo tolerance of instillations every 30 min for 6 h	Good in vivo tolerance
Liposome	Under development	Egg yolk PC in Trizma buffer; empty or loaded with tetracycline	Rabbit dry eye model (topical atropine), administration for 7 days	Greatest improvements in cytoarchitecture of corneas and conjunctivae with combination therapy using tetracycline-bound liposome and atropine sulfate (1%) drops	43
Liposome	Under development	l-α-distearoyl-PC and Ch (8:1); loaded with diclofenac	Rabbit tissue distribution study following a single instillation of diclofenac in liposomes or in an aqueous solution	Concentration of diclofenac in the retina–choroid was enhanced 1.8-fold	45
Liposome	Under development	Fluconazole-loaded liposomes (PC:Ch; 5:5) (0.2% w/w)	Candida keratitis-induced rabbit model, administration 4 times daily in the first 3 days, then 3 times daily for a 21-day observation period	Complete healing in 86.4% of rabbits	46
Liposome	Under development	Naturally derived PC from soybean, lecithin; loaded with CsA	DES-induced rabbit model, administration once daily for 7 days	Improved tear production, higher tear film concentration of CsA, and no signs of ocular discomfort	44
Liposome	Under development	Low-molecular-weight chitosan-coated liposomes (PC:Ch:PS 4:1:0.1; empty or loaded with 0.05% CsA	Cytotoxicity in an RCE cell line	Low toxicity to RCE cells	47
			CsA delivery in a rabbit model	Concentrations of CsA in cornea, conjunctiva and sclera were increased versus uncoated liposomes in rabbits
Anionic emulsion	Emustil®	7% soybean oil, 3% egg yolk phospholipids, 1.8% glycerol, in Tris-HCl buffer	Dessicating stress and scopolamine-induced dry eye–mouse model, administration 4 times/day with a 3-h interval	Increased tear volume after 7 days. Corneal damage was reduced after 3 days	57
Anionic emulsion	Under development	Four types of AT: (1) saline; (2) 0.1%, 0.5% or 1% (v/v) SH solution; (3) 0.5%, 1% or 5% (v/v) castor oil solution; or (4) 0.5% (v/v) SH and 1% castor oil mixture	In vitro short-term porcine dry eye model (60, 90 or 180 min), eye drops administered before dessicating stress	Solutions containing 1% SH or a mixture of 0.5% SH and 1% castor oil prevented corneal damage from up to 60 min of desiccating stress	58
Anionic emulsion	Under development	o/w emulsion; 10% (w/v) castor oil, and 8.0% (w/v) polysorbate 80; loaded with indomethacin (0.1% w/v) and (1) uncoated, (2) coated with 1.5% chitosan, or (3) coated with 0.5% HPMC	In vivo instillation in normal rabbit eyes; 1 μL tear fluid collected before sacrifice; eye structures dissected and drug distribution analyzed	Prolonged retention of indomethacin in tear fluid, better distribution and higher concentrations of indomethacin in ocular tissues with the chitosan-coated emulsion at 1 h postinstillation	59
Cationic emulsion	Novasorb (Cationorm®)	1%–2% (w/w) MCT, 0.005% (w/w) CKC, 0.2% (w/w) tylopaxol, 0.01% (w/w) poloxamer 188, 1.5%–2.5% (w/w) glycerol	Contact angle and surface tension in ex vivo rabbit eyes	Better spreading coefficient on the cornea and conjunctiva than conventional HA hydrogel eye drops and anionic emulsions	73
Cationic emulsion	Several eye drops, including Cationorm	MCT, CKC, tylopaxol, poloxamer 188, glycerol	Observed morphological changes, cell viability, and proinflammatory cytokines in human HCE-2 cell cultures	Favorable tolerability and lower inflammatory response with Cationorm and Systane® diluted 1:10 in culture medium compared with BAK solutions in HCE-2 cells	78
Cationic emulsion	Under development	0.002% CKC or 0.02% BAK in emulsion or in solution	Administration of 15 instillations at 5-min intervals in rabbit eyes	CKC emulsion had the lowest ocular toxicity	79
Cationic emulsion	Under development	Preservative-free latanoprost 0.005%	Female Macaca fascicularis monkeys with elevated IOP induced by diode laser photocoagulation of the trabecular meshwork; once-daily instillation for 5 days	Latanoprost cationic emulsion noninferior to Xalatan® (Pfizer), a BAK-preserved 0.005% solution latanoprost, in lowering elevated IOP, but had an improved ocular tolerance profile	81
			PK and local tolerance evaluated in healthy rabbits after a single instillation
Cationic emulsion	Under development	Preservative-free or BAK-containing cationic o/w emulsions loaded with 0.005% latanoprost	Corneal wound healing following corneal scraping in HCE cell monolayers and deepithelialization of the superior rat cornea	Improvements in corneal healing favored the preservative-free latanoprost emulsion over BAK-containing emulsions	80
Others	Under development	(1) perfluorobutylpentane, 0.5% (w/w) ethanol; (2) perfluorohexyloctane, 0.05% (w/w) ethanol; loaded with 0.05% CsA	EVEIT system using cultured rabbit corneas	Both formulations delivered therapeutic ocular concentrations after topical administration and were associated with good tolerance	97

AT, artificial tears; BAK, benzalkonium chloride; Ch, cholesterol; CKC, cetalkonium chloride; CsA, ciclosporin A; DES, dry eye syndrome; EVEIT, ex vivo eye irritation test; FITC, fluorescein isothiocyanate; HA, hyaluronic acid; HCE, human corneal epithelial; HMW, high molecular weight; HPMC, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose; IOP, intraocular pressure; MCT, medium chain triglyceride; o/w, oil in water; PC, phosphatidylcholine; PLGA, poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid); PS, phosphatidylserine; RCE, rabbit conjunctival epithelial; SH, sodium hyaluronate; v/v, volume/volume; w/v, weight/volume; w/w, weight/weight.

Drug-loaded liposomes exhibit improved tolerance, drug delivery and penetration, and corneal healing in comparison with other ophthalmic drug delivery vehicles typically used in rabbit models.^44–46 Chitosan-coated liposomes have been developed to further enhance drug permeation and prolong drug retention rates. These benefits may be attributable in part to the positive charge of the chitosan molecules, which can bind to the negatively charged mucus film and lipid membrane of epithelium cells. Chitosan-coated liposomes are well tolerated in vivo in rabbits and in vitro in rabbit conjunctival epithelial cells.⁴⁷

Nondrug-loaded liposomes also demonstrate improved clinical efficacy (Table 2). A multicenter, double-masked clinical study showed that Optrex ActiMist, also marketed as Tears Again and Eye Logic Liposomal Spray, significantly improved DED symptoms and tear film stability, which is essential for limiting the evaporation of the TFLL.^9,48 The delivery of phospholipid liposomes to the tear film by applying a liposomal spray (Tears Again) to the surface of the closed eyelid has been shown to improve ocular comfort, lipid layer thickness, and tear film stability in healthy patients versus a saline spray.⁴² Ocular comfort scores also improved with the same product, as observed in a randomized clinical study of healthy and self-diagnosed dry eye patients using the Chalmers 5-item questionnaire; a similar reduction in the Strehl ratio of higher-order aberrations was observed in both populations.⁴⁹

Table 2.

Representative Clinical Studies Performed with Lipid-Based Products

Lipid-based product family	Brand name	Main components (lipid/oil components in bold face)	Study design	Study main results	Ref.
Liposome	Tears Again®	Liposomal soy lecithin, ethanol, phenoxyethanol, vitamin A palmitate, vitamin E	Multicenter, double-masked, randomized trial; 80 healthy and DED patients total; single application to 1 eye versus a competitor eye spray to the contralateral eye	Improved ocular comfort and tear film stability compared with competitor spray	48
			Efficacy assessments: ocular comfort and TBUT
Liposome	Tears Again	Same as above	Prospective, randomized, double-masked trial; 22 healthy and borderline dry eye patients total; single application to 1 eye versus a saline spray to the contralateral eye	Improved ocular comfort, lipid layer thickness, and tear film stability in normal eyes for ≥1 h postadministration compared with saline	42
			Efficacy assessments: ocular comfort, lipid layer thickness and TBUT
Liposome	Tears Again	Same as above	Randomized trial of 24 normal and 24 dry eye patients; single application of spray, AT or both interventions	Largest improvements in ocular comfort scores at 1 h with combination therapy; no change in Strehl ratios postinstillation with any intervention	49
			Efficacy assessments: ocular comfort scores and Strehl ratios for higher-order aberrations
Liposome	Tears Again	Same as above	Prospective, controlled, open-label observational study; 72 patients total with seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis Efficacy assessments: conjunctival symptom scores and QoL questionnaire	Noninferior symptom reduction and favorable tolerability vs conventional cromoglycate treatment when given in combination with liposomal nasal spray	41
Liposome	Lacrisek® ofta mono	Vitamin A palmitate, vitamin E, hydrogenated phospholipids	Prospective, open-label, comparative study; 15 patients with moderate evaporative dry eye; single instillation in one eye	Improvements in interblink interval, TBUT, and tear film evaporation rate were greater with Lacrisek ofta mono vs Artelac® Rebalance (polyethylene glycol and hyaluronic acid) from 10 min after instillation until the end of the assessment period (min 60)	50
			Efficacy assessments: interblink interval, TBUT, tear film evaporation
Anionic emulsion	Refresh Endura®	1% glycerin, 1% polysorbate 80, castor oil	Comparative, nonrandomized open-label study; 5 normal and 10 ATD patients; single instillation	Rapid restructuring of the lipid film, improved mean spread time, and the majority of patients did not experience discomfort at instillation of the emulsion	60
			Efficacy assessments: tear interference imaging
Anionic emulsion	Under development	Same as above	Open-label, randomized pilot study; 5 normal and 10 DED patients; single instillation in both eyes	Residence time of ≥1–4 h postinstillation, clinically significant improvements in tear film stability, and a significant decrease in ocular symptoms	61
			Efficacy assessments: tear residence time, TBUT, ocular symptomology
Anionic emulsion	Under development (Allergan)	Same as above	Randomized, parallel-group, longitudinal, investigator-masked trial; 53 patients with mild-to-moderate DED; instillation 3 times a day for 30 days	Greater reduction in tear evaporation and greater improvements in tear film quality with the emulsion than HPMC at 30 days	62
			Efficacy assessments: lipid film stability and tear evaporation
Anionic emulsion	Optive Plus®	Carboxymethylcellulose, polysorbate 80, glycerol, l-carnitine, erythritol, boric acid, castor oil, PURITE® (stabilized oxychloro complex)	Prospective, multicenter, noninterventional study; 1209 DED patients; instillation according to package instructions for 4 weeks	Improvements in dry eye severity, TBUT and Schirmer's scores observed at 4 weeks	63
			Efficacy assessments: DED symptoms, TBUT and Schirmer's scores
Anionic emulsion	Emustil	Soybean oil 7%, egg yolk phospholipids 3%	Longitudinal, randomized, 3-arm, parallel, investigator-masked trial; 75 patients with mild-to-moderate DED total; administration 4 times daily for 90 days	Improved tear stability and decreased osmolarity and corneal staining compared with HA or HPMC. No significant modification in tear turnover rate for all tested products	34
			Efficacy assessments: symptoms, tear film evaporation, tear turnover rate, TBUT, tear osmolarity, and corneal staining
Anionic emulsion	Emustil	Same as above	Three-month, controlled, randomized, single-masked study in 71 moderate DED patients Efficacy assessments: Total CFS score and TBUT at 1- and 3-month time points	VAS score statistically improved at Month 3. Significantly inferior reduction in tear film osmolarity compared with Cationorm	64
Anionic emulsion	Systane Balance	Propylene glycol, hydroxypropyl-guar, borate, sorbitol, dimyristoyl phosphatidylglycerol, mineral oil, polyquaternium-1	Open-label 4-week trial; 49 mild-to-moderate MGD patients	After switching to study medication, clinically significant improvements in visual acuity remained statistically similar to previous therapy; study drug significantly improved corneal staining and TBUT and reduced habitual therapy use; patients preferred the study medication to their habitual therapy	66
			Efficacy assessments: QoL, visual acuity, meibomian gland expression and dropout, TBUT and corneal staining
Anionic emulsion	Systane Balance	Same as above	Randomized, parallel-group, controlled, investigator-masked comparison trial; 49 patients with lipid-deficient DED; administered 4 times daily for 4 weeks	Improved tear film stability, ocular surface staining, and meibomian gland functionality at 4 weeks when compared with saline	67
			Efficacy assessments: noninvasive TBUT, ocular surface staining, goblet cell density, meibomian gland expression, ocular signs and visual acuity
Anionic emulsion	Systane Balance	Same as above	Randomized, open-label, parallel-group, single-center, investigator-masked, 1-month study; 115 adult habitual contact lens wearers experiencing CLD symptoms; administered 1 drop 5 min after lens insertion and every 2 h for up to 4 drops daily	Significant improvements in contact lens comfort, wearing time, LWE, and corneal staining in patients switching to Systane Balance from their typical rewetting drops	65
			Efficacy assessments: subjective comfort, contact lens wearing time, LWE grading, and severity of corneal staining
Anionic emulsion	Refresh Dry Eye Therapy	Glycerin, 1% polysorbate 80, boric acid, carbomer, castor oil, purified water, PURITE, and sodium hydroxide	Randomized investigator-masked study of 41 dry eye patients; single instillation	Improved lipid layer thickness at 1–15 min postinstillation with emulsion compared with Soothe® (active ingredients: light mineral oil, 1.0%; mineral oil, 4.5%)	68
			Efficacy assessments: symptom questionnaire and lipid layer thickness
Anionic emulsion	Under development	2% castor oil, polyoxyethylene castor oil	Randomized, prospective double-masked, placebo-controlled crossover clinical trial; 20 patients with noninflamed MGD; instillation 6 times daily for 2 periods of 2 weeks each	Significant improvements in symptom scores, tear interference grade, tear evaporation, rose bengal scores, TBUT, and orifice obstruction in oil eye drop periods compared with the placebo periods, with no improvement in fluorescein staining	69
			Efficacy assessments: symptoms, tear interference grade, tear evaporation, fluorescein and rose bengal staining, TBUT, and meibomian gland orifice obstruction
Anionic emulsion	Liposic® Ophthalmic Liquid Gel	Medium chain triglycerides, carbomer, cetrimide, sorbitol	Prospective, open-label, randomized, parallel-group, noninferiority 4-week trial; 30 DED patients	Noninferior improvement in symptoms and TBUT, but superior improvements in Schirmer's test at 2 and 4 weeks compared with Systane eye drops; well tolerated	70
			Efficacy assessment: Schirmer's test, TBUT, and symptom assessment
Anionic emulsion	Systane Balance	Same as above	Single-center, prospective, open-label, investigator-masked, randomized trial; 26 patients with lipid-deficient and evaporative DED; administered 4 times daily for 3 months	Greater improvements in meibomian gland functionality (MGYLS) and symptoms with combination treatment; no significant safety concerns	71
			Efficacy assessments: meibomian gland function and ocular symptoms
Cationic emulsion	Cationorm	1% mineral oil (heavy and light chains), glycerin, tyloxapol, poloxamer, cetalkonium chloride	Three-month, controlled, randomized, single-masked study in 71 patients with moderate DED	Significant improvement of VAS score from 1 month, significant improvement of TBUT and reduced CFS staining at Month 3. Significant improvement in tear film osmolarity compared with Emustil	64
			Efficacy assessments: total CFS score and TBUT at 1- and 3-month time points
Cationic emulsion	Cationorm	Same as above	Randomized, multicenter, open-label, comparative trial; 79 patients with mild-to-moderate DED; administered 4 times daily for 28 days	At Day 7, improvement of the palpebral erythema score and symptoms	84
			Efficacy assessments: TBUT, Schirmer's test, lissamine green staining, CFS, and oculopalpebral examination	At Day 28, greater improvements in TBUT and lissamine green staining were observed with Cationorm vs Refresh (PVA-P). Overall efficacy assessed by the investigators was favorable for Cationorm
Cationic emulsion	Cationorm	Same as above	Prospective, multicenter, randomized, single-masked, parallel-group, reference-controlled, 3-month trial; 85 patients with moderate-to-severe DED associated with keratitis or keratoconjunctivitis	Cationorm was noninferior to Vismed® (HA) in improving objective signs but was superior in improving global symptoms score of ocular discomfort with a similar safety profile as Vismed	85
			Efficacy assessment: CFS, TBUT, Schirmer's test and symptoms
Others (ointment)	Lacri-Lube® ointment (Allergan)	55% white petrolatum, 42.5% mineral oil, 2% nonionic lanolin derivatives, 0.5% (w/w) chlorobutanol	Two-way randomized crossover trial; 7 healthy patients; single administration	Improved precorneal residence and total residence time compared with HPMC solution, but associated with blurred vision. Adequate for night-time administration	89
			Efficacy assessments: ointment residence time
Others (semifluorinated alkanes)	NovaTears®	Perfluorohexyloctane	Prospective, multicenter, observational 6-week trial; 30 DED patients; instilled 4 times daily in both eyes	Significant beneficial effects in all the relevant parameters tested, with no significant changes in visual acuity or IOP	98
			Efficacy assessments: visual acuity, IOP, Schirmer's test, tear fluid osmolarity, TBUT, corneal staining, meibum secretion, and OSDI

ATD, aqueous tear deficiency; CFS, corneal fluorescein staining; CLD, contact lens discomfort; DED, dry eye disease; LWE, lid wiper epitheliopathy; MGD, meibomian gland deficiency; MGYLS, meibomian glands yielding liquid secretion; OSDI, ocular surface disease index; PVA-P, polyvinyl alcohol–povidone formulation; QoL, quality of life; SDI, surface disease index; TBUT, tear break-up time; VAS, visual analogue scale; w/w, weight/weight.

In an open-label, observational study in patients with seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, Tears Again in combination with a liposomal nasal spray containing dexpanthenol (LipoNasal^®) demonstrated noninferior efficacy when compared with the standard cromoglycate therapy. Liposomal spray treatment was associated with a favorable tolerability profile in terms of eye irritation and vision disturbances over a 7-day treatment period (2–3 times per eye per day).⁴¹

The liposomal treatment Lacrisek^® ofta mono (Bios Italia), which incorporates hydrogenated phospholipids, vitamin A palmitate, and vitamin E, was compared with Artelac^® Rebalance, a water-based tear substitute containing polyethylene glycol and hyaluronic acid, in a single-instillation study of patients with evaporative dry eye. Improvements in interblink interval, tear break-up time (TBUT), and tear film evaporation time were superior for Lacrisek ofta mono from 10 min after instillation to the end of the 60-min assessment period.⁵⁰ This preclinical and clinical evidence demonstrates that liposomal eye drops and sprays are well tolerated and efficacious in improving DED symptoms.

Emulsions

To better mimic and supplement the tear film, which is also water-based,^9,51 emulsions containing both water and lipid have been developed. Oil-in-water emulsions consist of oily droplets stabilized by surfactants or emulsifiers dispersed in an aqueous medium (Fig. 1).⁵² For pharmaceutical topical ophthalmic instillation, most emulsions contain submicron-sized particles prepared with oils (eg, sesame oil, castor oil, soya oil, paraffin oil, paraffin light, lanolin, Vaseline^® [Unilever], corn oil, glycerin monostearate, medium chain monoglycerides, and medium chain triglycerides) and emulsifiers (eg, phospholipids [Lipoid], polysorbate 80 (Tween^® 80), Cremophor^® RH, poloxamer 407, poloxamer 188, Miranol^® C₂M, and tyloxapol) that are well tolerated at the concentrations used in these formulations.⁵³ Emulsions can be anionic (negatively charged) or cationic (positively charged) depending on the components added to the formulation during the emulsion process.⁵³ Oil-in-water emulsions are often used as topical ocular drug delivery carriers to enhance membrane permeability and cellular uptake of lipophilic molecules.^51–55

Anionic emulsions

Anionic emulsions are commercially available in some countries and include Optive Plus^® (Allergan), Systane^® Balance (Alcon), Soothe^® XP (Bausch and Lomb), Emustil^® (SIFI), Refresh Endura^® (Allergan), Restasis^® (Allergan), Durezol^® (Alcon), Aquarest^®/Liposic^® (Bausch and Lomb), Soft Santear^® (Santen), and Lipimix^® (Pharma Stulln). Like liposomes, anionic emulsions have demonstrated a favorable tolerability profile, in that they decrease eye irritation and vision disturbances. For instance, an anionic lipid emulsion of Miglyol^® 840 oil (IOI Oleo GmbH) and lecithin⁵⁶ tested in rabbits was well tolerated and had a low ocular lesion index after topical instillation (30 μL) every 30 min for 6 h (Tables 1 and 2).⁵³

In terms of efficacy, Emustil (an anionic emulsion containing natural phospholipids) significantly improved tear volume and reduced corneal damage when applied 4 times a day for 7 days either as a monotherapy or in combination with sodium hyaluronate in a mouse model of dry eye.⁵⁷ Artificial tears containing sodium hyaluronate and castor oil tested in a porcine short-term dry eye model also had a protective effect against corneal desiccation.⁵⁸ Similarly, coating emulsions with chitosan was shown to prolong the residence time of the emulsion in the tear fluid of rabbits.⁵⁹

Studies evaluating the efficacy of commercially available anionic emulsions to improve dry eye symptoms and lipid tear film stability in human patients have shown positive results (Table 2). Of note, a pilot study in 5 asymptomatic and 10 symptomatic, aqueous tear-deficient dry eye patients who were given Refresh Endura (castor oil with 1% glycerin and 1% polysorbate 80) once a day in one eye and saline as control in the other eye demonstrated lipid tear film restructuring after a single instillation of treatment.⁶⁰ Another pilot study in normal and dry eye patients reported increased tear film lipid thickness, tear film break-up time, and comfort scores up to 1 h postinstillation of Refresh Endura, as well as overall symptom improvement for up to 4 h postinstillation in patients with symptomatic dry eye.⁶¹

In patients with mild-to-moderate dry eye treated with an anionic emulsion of 1.25% castor oil or 0.32% HPMC monotherapy 3 times daily for 30 days, both treatments resulted in decreased tear evaporation rates, but only the emulsion improved lipid layer structure at day 30.⁶² A multicenter observational study evaluated 1,209 dry eye patients for 4 weeks after starting or switching to Optive Plus, which contains carboxymethylcellulose, glycerol, L-carnitine, erythritol, and a polysorbate 80 vessel that delivers pure castor oil to the tear film. The results indicated improvements in dry eye severity, tear break-up time, and Schirmer's test scores relative to baseline.⁶³

Emustil administered 4 times daily for 90 days to evaporative dry eye patients improved tear stability and decreased tear osmolarity and corneal staining to a greater extent than 2 other comparators, Lubristil^® 0.15% sodium hyaluronate unidose (SIFI) and Dacriosol^® 0.3% hydroxypropyl methylcellulose unidose (Alcon).³⁴ However, a 3-month clinical study comparing Emustil to Cationorm^® (Santen) or Optive^® (Allergan) in patients with moderate dry eye reported no significant improvement in tear film break-up time or fluorescein staining following treatment with Emustil.⁶⁴

In habitual contact lens wearers experiencing symptoms of contact lens discomfort, Systane Balance (dimyristoyl phosphatidylglycerol, hydroxypropyl-guar, mineral oil, polyoxyl 40 stearate) improved lens comfort, wearing time, lid wiper epitheliopathy, and corneal staining when administered up to 4 times per day versus a nonlipid contact lens rewetting drop.⁶⁵ Systane Balance moderately improved corneal staining and tear film break-up time in patients with dry eye associated with MGD, and approximately 60% of patients switching to Systane Balance preferred it to their usual lubricant eye drops or artificial tears.⁶⁶

A randomized, parallel-group, controlled, investigator-masked comparison study in patients with lipid-deficient dry eye treated with Systane Balance or saline 4 times daily for 4 weeks showed that Systane Balance restored tear film stability, improved ocular surface staining, and improved meibomian gland functionality.⁶⁷ In addition, dry eye patients treated with either Refresh Dry Eye Therapy^® (castor oil with 1% glycerin and 1% polysorbate 80) or Soothe (light mineral oil 1.0% and mineral oil 4.5%) demonstrated increased lipid layer thickness, but treatment with Soothe resulted in greater improvements in lipid layer thickness.⁶⁸ Castor oil eye drops, another investigational anionic emulsion product, have been well tolerated and have effectively improved symptom scores, tear interference grade, tear evaporation, rose bengal staining, tear film break-up time, and orifice obstruction scores in MGD patients when administered 6 times daily for 2 weeks.⁶⁹

Carbomer-based lipid artificial tears improved both dry eye symptoms and signs, including Schirmer's test values and tear film break-up time, similar to or better than hydroxypropyl (HP)-guar gel after 2 and 4 weeks of treatment.⁷⁰ Furthermore, meibomian gland secretion improved to a greater extent after 3 months of combination therapy with anionic emulsions, lid hygiene, and omega-3 nutritional supplementation versus treatment with only warm and wet compresses in patients with lipid-deficient dry eye.⁷¹

In the published clinical trials reviewed herein, the most common adverse event related to the application of anionic emulsions observed between studies was blurred vision.^60,62,63,66 However, in some studies, adverse events were not reported.^34,61,67 This underlines the safety of their use as ophthalmic drug delivery systems.

Cationic emulsions

Cationic emulsions are biphasic formulations of positively charged oil nanodroplets (oily phase) dispersed in water (the continuous phase) (Fig. 1, 2b).^72,73 The positively charged nanodroplets within cationic emulsions interact with the negatively charged ocular surface mucins and cell membranes.^51,72,74 This bioadhesive property prolongs eye drop residence time and improves the bioavailability of lipophilic drug molecules delivered through these emulsions.^53,72,73 The physicochemical parameters of a cationic emulsion influence its stability and physiological biocompatibility; for instance, the optimal properties of nanodroplets include a size less than 200 nm, a pH between 5 and 7, and an osmolarity of approximately 270 mOsm/kg.⁷²

Choosing the appropriate cationic agent is also essential. Several agents such as stearylamine, oleylamine, poly(ethylenimine), poly(l-lysine), 1,2-di-(9Z-octadecenoyl)-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (DOPE), 1,2-di-(9Z-octadecenoyl)-3-trimethylammoniumpropane (DOTAP), and benzalkonium chloride (BAK) derivatives are available, but their use as cationic agents is limited by toxicity, stability, or regulatory issues. These limitations encourage the development of unpreserved ophthalmic preparations.⁷⁵ Cetalkonium chloride (CKC), a C16 BAK derivative, is the preferred cationic agent in cationic emulsions because it has superior lipophilicity that limits it to the oily phase of the oil-in-water nanoemulsion, thereby minimizing toxicity.⁷²

In emulsions, quaternary ammoniums, such as CKC, which are not found in the aqueous phase, are solely used as cationic agents and do not exert detergent activity or preservative action.^72,73,76,77 Cationic emulsions also provide improved spreading coefficients on the cornea and conjunctiva versus conventional eye drops and anionic emulsions, thereby improving ocular surface wettability. This has been demonstrated by Cationorm (Santen; also known as Retaine^® MGD in the US; OCuSOFT^®), a preservative-free cationic emulsion, in contact angle and surface tension studies⁷³ (Table 1). Additionally, a cationic emulsion containing a combination of phospholipids (Lipoid E 80), poloxamer 188 (Pluronics F68), and stearylamine as emulsifiers had a favorable tolerability profile when administered (40 single-drop instillations per day for 5 days) to rabbit eyes, despite the potential of stearylamine causing ocular irritation.⁵³

In additional preclinical studies, human corneal epithelial cells (HCE-2 cells) were incubated with Cationorm or Systane, each diluted 1:10, for up to 30 min. The dilution was used to mimic in vivo conditions, whereas the 30-min exposure time was longer than would be realistically expected in vivo. Neither Cationorm nor Systane were associated with any significant change in HCE-2 cell morphology or viability, and reduced inflammatory responses were elicited versus BAK, suggesting that both products would be better options than BAK for long-term use in DED.⁷⁸ Moreover, cationic emulsions utilizing BAK (0.02%) and CKC (0.002%) as cationic agents were less toxic than BAK/CKC aqueous solutions at the same concentrations in a severe eye irritation rabbit model (15 instillations at 5-min intervals).⁷⁹ In this same study, a CKC-containing cationic emulsion caused a similar degree of redness, chemosis, and conjunctiva secretions as the phosphate-buffered saline control.⁷⁹

The tolerability of cationic emulsions was also confirmed with a latanoprost-loaded emulsion in HCE cells, in a rat corneal wound model, and in a rabbit ocular tolerance model.^80,81 Cationic lipids have also demonstrated the potential for exhibiting both antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.⁸² Glucocorticoid-linked polyamine cationic lipids induce glucocorticoid receptor translocation and display bactericidal activity against several strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.⁸² Cationorm reduced stromal inflammatory cell infiltration as determined by in vivo confocal microscopy.⁸³

In patients with mild-to-moderate dry eye, instillation of Cationorm (1 drop per eye 4 times daily for 28 days) improved tear film break-up time as early as Day 7 and was well tolerated by patients (Table 2).⁸⁴ In this same study, a significant improvement in lissamine green staining was observed after 28 days of treatment, suggesting that this cationic emulsion reinforces the lipid layer, minimizes evaporation, and stabilizes the tear film to protect the ocular surface.⁸⁴ In another clinical trial of Cationorm and Vismed^® (TRB Chemedica) in patients with moderate-to-severe dry eye, although both eye drops showed similar safety profiles and efficacy in terms of improvements in objective signs of dry eye, Cationorm was superior in improving the global symptoms score of ocular discomfort.⁸⁵

These cationic emulsions are lipid-based drug nanocarriers and promising new vehicles for ocular drug delivery, for example, delivery of ciclosporin, to treat various ocular surface diseases, including dry eye.^73,86 Although ciclosporin has potent anti-inflammatory properties and is an established second-line treatment option for dry eye, ocular delivery of ciclosporin is challenging because it is highly lipophilic.^23,73 Nonetheless, ocular delivery of ciclosporin is enhanced by encapsulating it in a cationic emulsion, increasing its bioavailability and corneal penetration.^51,52,87,88

In the published clinical trials reviewed here, the most common adverse events related to the application of cationic emulsions were eye pain, instillation site pain, or irritation, and these events were mostly mild in severity.^84–86 These data show the use of cationic emulsions as ophthalmic drug delivery systems is well tolerated.

Other Lipid-Based Carriers

Other lipid-based products, including sterile ophthalmic ointments, are used as more conventional lubricants.²³ These products do not contain water and thus do not directly moisturize the ocular surface or replenish tears, but they can potentially replenish waxes or oils through delivery of white petrolatum, mineral oil, or lanolin.⁸⁹ When used as drug delivery vehicles (eg, for ketorolac, tacrolimus, ciclosporin, gefarnate, etc.), ophthalmic ointments prolong precorneal residence time and sustain drug availability.^89–91 These types of lubricants have been used for the treatment of DED, but their high viscosity often leads to blurred vision upon application.^23,92 However, when used at bedtime, ophthalmic ointments provide sustained effect without this uncomfortable side effect.⁸⁹ Pure oily solutions (eg, castor oil, olive oil, corn oil, etc.) are often used in hospital-compounded ophthalmic preparations of various drugs, including ciclosporin.^93,94 However, the role of their intrinsic properties in supplementing or stabilizing the TFLL is unknown.

There are a number of other lipid-based formulations of drug carriers aside from ointments (Fig. 1, 3a, b). Polyaphrons are lipid-containing carriers with oil droplets in the micron range encapsulated within a water film⁹⁵ that are being investigated as vehicles for ciclosporin delivery to treat DED (EudraCT number: 2015-000937-54).⁹⁶ Ciclosporin has also been successfully loaded into biocompatible semifluorinated alkanes, and in an ex vivo corneal model, this carrier provided more effective diffusion of ciclosporin through the corneal barrier than Restasis (Table 1).⁹⁷ Recently, another semifluorinated alkane-based drug delivery carrier (NovaTears^® [perfluorohexyloctane]; Novaliq GmbH) has been shown to effectively stabilize the tear film, reduce corneal staining, and improve dry eye symptoms in patients with mild-to-moderate dry eye without impacting visual acuity (Table 2).⁹⁸

Lipid nanocarriers are a class of colloids that includes nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs), solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs), and lipid–drug conjugates. Recent studies show that NLCs may be useful for ocular drug delivery given their potential to improve drug penetration owing to increased bioadhesion to the ocular epithelium.^99–101 SLNs are modified nanoemulsions that substitute the liquid oil phase with a solid lipid core and are typically composed of physiological lipid mixtures of high melting point mono-, di-, and triglycerides and waxes stabilized by surfactants.¹⁰² Like nanoemulsions, SLNs are biocompatible, physically stable, and capable of carrying drugs, such as ciclosporin and other anti-inflammatory drugs, for the treatment of ocular surface diseases.^99,100,102 SLNs are internalized by ocular tissues and may improve the bioavailability of encapsulated drugs;¹⁰⁰ however, their benefit in supplementing the tear film or the compatibility of their high melting point lipids with the TFLL have yet to be explored.

In the published clinical trials reviewed above, the incidence of adverse events following application of semifluorinated alkane drops occurred in few (<5) patients, and there were no serious adverse events reported. However, some patients showed signs of mild-to-moderate hypersensitivity to semifluorinated alkane drops.⁹⁸ Overall, data suggest that oily solutions, SLNs, and NLCs are generally well tolerated.

Conclusion

Lipid-based therapies (liposomal sprays and emulsion eye drops) are an attractive alternative to water-based artificial tears because they more closely mimic the composition of the tear film. Lipid-based therapies not only relieve patient symptoms immediately after topical administration, but may also directly improve the lipid tear film structure and thickness component in ocular surface disease, resulting in enhanced tear film stability. Furthermore, their composition and rheology may benefit tear film properties and tear film stability. Components in the aqueous phase of the emulsions (eg, osmoprotectants such as glycerin, emulsifiers, or polymers) may also provide additional effect on the ocular surface (eg, lubrication, osmoprotection). Oil-in-water emulsions reduce the signs and symptoms of all types of dry eye,^35,62 but are particularly recommended for lipid-deficient dry eye patients.⁶³ Cationic emulsions provide optimal ocular spreading and residence time with ocular surface benefits to improve DED, especially in MGD patients.^73,84

The favorable tolerability profile and efficacy of lipid-based therapies in improving both signs and symptoms of dry eye make them a promising therapeutic option in the management of DED.^37,73,87,103 Lipid-based therapies also have the potential to be combined with conventional ocular surface disease therapies such as lid wipes, omega-3 supplementation, ciclosporin, or diquafosol for disease and symptom management.^71,104,105 Finally, cationic lipids possess anti-inflammatory properties,^82,83,106 providing a new perspective of lipid-based therapy for ocular surface inflammation and disease.¹⁰⁷

Improvements in drug delivery mechanisms may provide patients with a longer duration of symptom relief, improve adherence and compliance, and ultimately improve patient satisfaction. In particular, nanotechnologies such as NLCs and SLNs offer the possibility of a high degree of control over pharmacokinetic variables such as residence time, penetration of ocular tissues, solubility, and rate of release.⁹⁹

The choice and composition of the lipids added to artificial tears, in terms of their polarity and quantity, should be further studied to understand their impact on and potential to improve the TFLL and dry eye symptoms and disease progression. An interdisciplinary approach involving lipidomics, surface chemistry, molecular dynamics, lipid aberrations, rheology, and computational biophysics may address this need.^22,108–112

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank BioScience Communications and Chameleon Communications International for medical copyediting support. J.M. Holopainen acknowledged support from the Sigrid Juselius Foundation, the State Subsidiary to Helsinki University Hospital, and the Finnish Eye Foundation.

This review was supported by Santen SAS (Evry, France).

Author Disclosure Statement

J.S. Garrigue and M. Amrane are employees of Santen SAS. M.O. Faure is a consultant for Santen SAS and owner of Scientific Consulting For You. J.M. Holopainen was a medical consultant to Croma Pharma and served on advisory boards for Alcon, Allergan, Santen, and Thea; and L. Tong is a consultant for Alcon, Allergan, Eyelens, Mediworks, and Santen.