Increase in tear film lipid layer thickness after instillation of 3% diquafosol ophthalmic solution in healthy human eyes.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of 3% diquafosol ophthalmic solution on tear film lipid layer thickness (LLT) in normal human eyes by tear interferometry.

METHODS: Forty-seven healthy men (mean age of 42.4 years) randomly received one drop of artificial tears in one eye and one drop of 3% diquafosol ophthalmic solution in the other. LLT of each eye was quantified by tear interferometry before and 15, 30, and 60 min after instillation. Ocular symptoms were assessed before and 30 min after instillation. Baseline LLT, tear film breakup time (TBUT), meibomian gland area (meiboscore) of the upper and lower eyelids, and Schirmer test value were evaluated on a different day before treatment.

RESULTS: LLT before and 15, 30, and 60 min after diquafosol instillation was 62.3 ± 31.1, 77.0 ± 39.5, 79.3 ± 40.5, and 77.7 ± 43.6 nm, respectively, with the diquafosol-induced increase in LLT being significant at each time point. Artificial tears did not result in a significant increase in LLT. TBUT (ρ = 0.32, P = 0.026), meiboscore of the lower eyelid (ρ = -0.33, P = 0.022), and the maximum difference in LLT between before and after diquafosol instillation (ΔLLTmax ) (ρ = 0.35, P = 0.016) were significantly correlated with baseline LLT in the diquafosol group. Age was not significantly related to baseline LLT or ΔLLTmax . Symptoms did not differ significantly between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS: Topical instillation of 3% diquafosol ophthalmic solution increased LLT for up to 60 min in normal human eyes regardless of age.