ABSTRACT. We conducted a prospective, randomised, single-masked study comparing the safety and efficacy of polyacrylic acid 0.2% (PAA) and polyvinylalcoho1 1.4% (PVA) in 85 patients (PAA 43, PVA 42) with dry eyes. The two groups were similar in patient demographics and study parameters at baseline. With treatment, the reduction in total symptoms (gritty or foreign body sensation, burning sensation, dry eye sensation, photophobia, others) and signs (conjunctival hyperaemia, ciliary injection, corneal and conjunctival epithelial staining) score on PAA was significantly greater than that on PVA at both two and four weeks. The daily frequency of instillation of PAA was significantly less than that of PVA on 16 of the 27 (59%) study days. For overall local tolerance there was a significant preference for PAA compared to PVA by both patients and doctors. Only one patient on each treatment had an adverse event and neither was serious. PAA (Viscotears") was as safe as, but better tolerated and more effective than PVA in the treatment of dry eye conditions.

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