Improvement of dryness symptoms at the end of the day with artificial tear

J Optom. 2026 Apr-Jun;19(2):100608. doi: 10.1016/j.optom.2026.100608. Epub 2026 Feb 22.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Systane COMPLETE Preservative-Free in improving symptoms of occasional dryness, particularly towards the end of the day.

METHODS: A multicentric longitudinal prospective study was conducted. Participants were required to have an Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) score between 13 and 32 (mild-to-moderate symptoms of dryness). Subjects used Systane COMPLETE Preservative-Free four times a day (upon waking, at midday, in the afternoon, and two hours before bedtime) for one month. Weekly questionnaires were administered, and a review was conducted at the beginning and end of the study. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare OSDI, DEQ-5, Efron scale scores, and corneal staining using the Oxford scale. Correlations between environmental variables and symptom scores were also analyzed.

RESULTS: This sample included 19 men and 67 women with a mean age of 42.6 ± 13.2. Statistically significant improvements were observed in both questionnaires (OSDI and DEQ-5) across all visits (p < 0.01) reducing the score to less than half, particularly with a decrease in symptoms at the final visit after artificial tear use (DEQ-5). The DEQ-5 questionnaire score at the initial visit correlates (Spearman's Rho) with limbal hyperemia (ρ = 0.24; p = 0.02), and conjunctival staining (ρ = 0.28; p < 0.01). The OSDI questionnaire score correlates with conjunctival staining (ρ = 0.38; p = 0.03). Moreover, the DEQ-5 questionnaire score showed correlations with several environmental factors (ρ = 0.23-0.33; p < 0.04).

CONCLUSIONS: Systane COMPLETE Preservative-Free has proven effective in improving moderate ocular dryness symptoms, as measured by the OSDI questionnaire, as well as end-of-day dryness, as assessed by the DEQ-5.

PMID:41723996 | PMC:PMC12945509 | DOI:10.1016/j.optom.2026.100608