Alcon has once again expanded its range of preservative-free eye drops with the addition of Systane COMPLETE PRESERVATIVE-FREE Lubricant Eye Drops. This lubricating eye drop combines the long-lasting formulation of Systane COMPLETE with a multi-dose, preservative-free bottle.
Systane COMPLETE utilises Systane’s Intelligent Delivery system of HP-guar and borate in combination with nano-lipid technology to support all layers of the tear film and relieve the symptoms of all types of dry eye (Aqueous Deficient, Evaporative and Mixed Dry Eye)¹,². Upon instillation, the HP-guar and borate crosslink to form a viscoelastic meshwork³. This meshwork forms a bandage over the ocular surface, preferentially binding to damaged areas of the cornea⁴ and increasing retention of the demulcents in the drop, for extended protection and lubrication²,³. The nano-emulsion is formulated with mineral oil and a patented anionic phospholipid delivered in nano-sized lipid droplets⁵. The nano-size droplets provide three benefits: they optimise the lipid surface coverage², the emulsion formulation is less opaque² and allows an increase in HP-guar compared to Systane BALANCE Lubricant Eye Drops for increased retention³.
In Systane BALANCE Lubricant Eye Drops the highest concentration of HP-guar in the formulation before coalescence occurred was established at 0.05⁶. In Systane COMPLETE, HP-guar is three times the concentration at 0.15%⁶. This difference is due to the lipids in Systane COMPLETE being converted to the nanoemulsion⁶.
The multidose, preservative-free bottle features patented PureFlow Technology, which is comprised of a one-way valve to ensure no contaminated liquid can be re-introduced into the container and a fine silicone membrane to filter returned air⁷. The bottle has a low squeeze force and features a blue tip to aid targeting of the eye for ease of instillation⁷. This bottle was rated highly by patients for ease of use⁸. In a survey of 100 eye drop users, the preferred features mentioned included: it was easy to dispense a drop, it was easy hold and handle and the blue tip helped them to better target the eye⁸.
TFOS DEWS II states preservative-free drops may be a good choice for frequent users and users of multiple eye drops⁹. Dry eye sufferers may be using multiple types of drops, for example glaucoma medications or allergy eye drops together with ocular lubricants. In a survey of over 1,100 users of lubricating eye drops, 50.6% of those surveyed used drops between one and three times a day and 4.3% used them four or more times per day¹⁰.
Systane COMPLETE PRESERVATIVE-FREE is suitable for those with mild to moderate dry eye* in any of the sub-categories (ADDE, EDE or mixed)¹,² and provides symptomatic relief of dry eye for up to eight hours².
*Recommendation based upon expected on-eye viscosity
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