Dry eye syndrome
The tear film stops holding on the eye surface: either there is too little tear or it evaporates too fast because the meibomian glands work poorly. The eyes burn and sting, feel gritty, get worse by evening and twice as bad at a screen because people blink less. An artificial tear removes the symptom, while the cause – blepharitis, medication, hormonal change, autoimmune disease – is looked for separately.
Also known as: Keratoconjunctivitis sicca, Dry eye disease
Drugs used for this condition
- BCarbomerSecond line · Artificial tear in gel form, polyacrylic polymerCarbomer gel stays on the eye longer than drops, so it is chosen for marked dryness and at night. The AEMPS ficha técnica gives the indication as symptomatic relief of eye irritation and dryness in adults: one drop 2 to 4 times a day or whenever discomfort appears. The 2016 Cochrane review of over-the-counter artificial tears found that the group relieves symptoms and showed no convincing differences between formulations; the 2017 TFOS DEWS II report also places tear substitutes at the first step, leaving the choice of form to tolerance. There is one practical difference from drops: the gel blurs vision for 5 to 10 minutes, so driving right after instillation is unwise. In keratoconjunctivitis sicca the ficha asks for ophthalmologist follow-up – the condition is usually chronic.
- BHypromelloseFirst line · Artificial tear, ocular surface lubricantAn artificial tear is the first step for dryness and burning in the eyes. The AEMPS ficha técnica frames the indication simply: symptomatic relief of eye irritation and dryness, one drop in the conjunctival sac 3 to 5 times a day, more often if needed. The 2016 Cochrane review of over-the-counter artificial tears showed that this group relieves symptoms but found no convincing differences between formulations – the choice goes by tolerance and convenience. The 2017 TFOS DEWS II report places tear substitutes at the first step of treatment, with lid hygiene, anti-inflammatory drops and meibomian gland work coming later. Two practical points from the ficha: with preservative sensitivity the single-dose form is used, and if symptoms last beyond 7 days or vision drops, an ophthalmologist should look.
Marketing claims without evidence base
The drug is promoted for these uses outside international guidelines. Each entry below is analyzed against AEMPS, FDA, EMA, Cochrane and major RCTs.
How to read tiers A–F
Evidence tiers belong to the drug-indication pair, not to the drug as a whole: the same substance can be A for one condition and F for another.
- AStrong evidence – first or second line in international guidelines
- BRecommended in selected cases
- CStudy data contradict each other
- DBenefit not proven, no documented harm
- FDocumented harm, or risk without benefit