Two new international research projects at the Ocular Surface Laboratory are testing the effectiveness and safety of commercially available treatments from Alcon’s Systane range for dry eye symptoms and discomfort due to contact lens (CL)-related dryness.

These trials have the potential to teach us more about much-needed solutions for individuals suffering from this common and often debilitating condition. Around 135 participants from around the world are involved, with the studies expected to conclude by year’s end. These studies incorporate standardised methods for measuring symptoms and signs of dry eye and CL-related dryness to ensure the results are comparable across different participant groups and study sites.

Professor Jennifer Craig and ourselves, together with optometrist Jagrut Lallu and his team from the New Zealand Eye Research Centre in Hamilton, are excited to be contributing to this Alcon-sponsored research. Our involvement highlights New Zealand's active role in global ocular surface research and the trials will help expand our understanding of how these latest-generation artificial tears can benefit those with dry eye disease.

The studies offer a step towards finding the most safe and effective solutions for dry eye and CL discomfort and the data collected will help strengthen the existing evidence base, increasing patients’ confidence in dry eye therapies and offering hope via ever-expanding treatment options.

For opportunities to participate in dry eye research projects such as this at the University of Auckland, please visit: https://tinyurl.com/2jzjms8w

Dr Ally Xue is a therapeutic optometrist and postdoctoral research fellow with the Ocular Surface Laboratory (OSL) at the University of Auckland.

Dian Zhuang is a New Zealand-trained optometrist and PhD candidate with the OSL and the Buchanan Ocular Therapeutics Unit at the University of Auckland.