Polymer-based artificial tears

Polymer-based artificial tears are the most common tear supplementation product used in dry eye treatment. In addition to dry eye, ocular lubricants are used in the treatment of corneal abrasions, ultraviolet keratitis, herpes simplex and zoster keratitis, phlyctenular disease, giant papillary conjunctivitis, superior limbic keratoconjimc-tivitis, vernal disease, adenoviral infections, and other ocular surfece conditions. 

An erodible insert developed as a potential ocular drug-delivery system is marketed as a prescription drug for the lubricant properties of the polymer base. Lacrisert is a sterile ophthalmic insert used in the treatment of moderate to severe dry eye syndrome and is usually recommended for patients unable to obtain symptomatic relief with artificial tear solutions. The insert is composed of 5 mg of hydroxypropylcellulose in a rod-shaped form about 1.27 mm diameter by about 3.5 mm long. No preservative is used, since it is essentially anhydrous. The quite rigid cellulose rod is placed in the lower conjunctival sac and first imbibes water from the tears and after several hours forms a... 

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