PMCF Study to Evaluate Performance and Safety of "CLHA-based Eyedrops" Used to Improve Lacrimal Abnormalities

Overview

Tear dysfunction, also known as Dry Eye Disease (DED) is frequently encountered in the clinical practice. It is a multifactorial disease of the ocular surface characterized by insufficient tear production, loss of homeostasis of the tear film, increased osmotic stress of the ocular surface, ocular discomfort and visual disturbance. Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a linear heteropolysaccharide (glycosaminoglycan) with unique hygroscopic, rheological, and lubricating properties. HA is naturally found at the human ocular surface where it contributes to the ocular hydration and lubrication thanks to its capability to bind water molecules.Sodium hyaluronate (SH), the salt form of HA, is widely used in artificial tears to counteract dry eye symptoms by facilitating eyelid sliding and reducing its friction on the corneal-conjunctival surface. Conventional HA-based eye drops contain linear HA. However, artificially cross-linked HA (CLHA) has several advantages over linear HA in alleviating dry eye symptoms. The increased viscoelasticity of CLHA results in a greater stability and a better resistance to the enzymatic degradation by hyaluronidase, while preserving all the properties of linear HA. Furthermore, chemical cross-linking of HA extends its permanence on the ocular surface, thus reducing the number of instillations and increasing patients' compliance. For these reasons, an interventional, non-comparative, single-center Post Marketing Clinical Follow-up (PMCF) study was planned to evaluate the performance and safety of "Cross-Linked Hyaluronic Acid (CLHA)-based eyedrops" used as intended to improve lacrimal abnormalities, even when associated with dry eye symptoms. The objectives of the PMCF study are confirmation of the performance, collection of additional safety data regarding expected adverse events and detection of potential unexpected adverse events associated with use of "Cross-Linked Hyaluronic Acid (CLHA)-based eyedrops" according to the Instructions for Use (IFU). Each subject, after signing the Informed Consent Form (ICF), will enter the screening and baseline phase (the 2 visits will coincide) during which baseline procedures will be completed. At baseline visit (V0), one of the "CLHA-based eyedrops" products will be administered to the enrolled subject. The patient will perform 2 on-site visits: V0 and V2/EOS. To monitor the safety, 1 phone contact is planned (V1) to check for potential adverse events and concomitant medications intake.