Contact lens wearers with dry eye show improvement with Cationorm

Eye drop emulsion Cationorm significantly improved ocular discomfort (OD) in patients with ocular dryness, in a cross-sectional study presented recently at the International Cornea & Contact Lenses Congress (ICCLC) in Sydney.⁴

The results of the multicentre study revealed Cationorm, by CSL Seqirus, reduced OD associated with ocular dryness as reported by 84% of contact lens (CL) wearers after 15 days of treatment, regardless of lens material, type of lenses, and frequency of eyedrop use (95% CI 78.6% – 89.6%),⁴ the company reported.

Cationorm is a preservative-free, lubricating eye drop which alleviates the symptoms of ocular dryness often reported by CL wearers.

According to CSL Seqirus, the emulsion, which includes lipids, surfactants and glycerol, targets replenishment and stabilisation of all layers of tear film, and aids in restoring ocular surface homeostasis.^6-8 It is administered as one drop, up to four-times daily in the affected eye, and is compatible with contact lenses.⁹

The study reported that complete resolution of signs of OD was reported by close to half of participants, with 87.6% describing their experience of using Cationorm as ‘satisfying’, or ‘very satisfying’.⁴

Cationorm was well tolerated, with only 8% of patients reporting an adverse event (blurred vision, irritation, itching, burning and red eye).³

Perth-based optometrist and president of the International Society of Contact Lens Specialists Mr Damon Ezekiel, said eyecare practitioners are aware that the CL market is not growing due to contact lens discontinuation of patients, with the top reasons for dropout being discomfort (24.4%) and dryness (19.9%).¹⁰

“Recently, we have been fortunate to have the availability of Cationorm. This study demonstrates that patients with DED associated with contact lens use may benefit from Cationorm,” Ezekiel said.

“The majority of my contact lens patients are struggling with the demands of a digital world, which decreases their contact lens comfort as the day progresses. My advice to these patients who are showing signs and symptoms of decreased comfort with their contact lens wear, is to use Cationorm preservative-free drops up to four times a day.

“Within a short amount of time, many patients have reported an improvement in all-day comfortable contact lens wear, and the benefits that accompany this.”

Ezekiel said it was interesting to note that in recent times, contact lens wearers who are regular mask users have been found to have a marked increase in dry eye symptoms, including those who have never previously experienced dry eye, due to the COVID- 19 pandemic.

“So innovative additions to the market, such as Cationorm, are more important than ever,” he added.

Cationorm is listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (10mL multidose bottle) and is also available in single use ampoules.⁹

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