I-Drop® FAQ

The unique elastic and pseudoplastic properties of the hyaluronan component assist in keeping the glycerin lubricant on the surface of the eye longer resulting in enhanced residence time on vital surfaces of the cornea and conjunctiva. Hyaluronan is an ideal delivery vehicle since it remains on the surface of the eye during and after the normal constant blinking process without rapid elimination which naturally occurs with less elastic and pseudoplastic lubricants such as glycerin by itself. Additionally, the viscous glycerin lubricant in I-Drop^® provides superior mucoadhesive properties on all surfaces of the eye resulting in longer residence time.  When both of these viscous and viscoelastic biopolymers are combined into one viscoadaptive eye drop, the resulting fluid displays superior moisturizing and lubrication, enhanced residence time and superior levels of comfort to the patient, without annoying side effects such as blurring of vision or foreign body sensation.

The I-Drop^® viscoadaptive solution responds to ever-changing environmental conditions on the surfaces of the eye, including blinking of the eye lids, presence of contact lenses, post-refractive surgery conditions and noxious environmental conditions.  With each blink of the eyelid, this viscoadaptive eye drop coats and recoats the surface of the eye due to its combination of viscoelastic and mucoadhesive properties. The net effect is the stabilization of the tear film layer by this viscoadaptive eye drop.  This action is similar but superior to the natural tear film, since it lasts longer.

The constant introduction of new brands of eye drops with simple variations of old ingredients for the treatment of dry eye conditions demands a new approach to this therapy.  Most of the new or existing dry eye products utilize viscous polymers which have important limitations.

For many decades, viscous eye drops have been routinely used to treat various dry eye conditions. Then, in the 1990’s, viscoelastic eye drops were introduced in some markets.  Both of these eye drop formulations provided some limited relief of symptoms, with viscoelastic eye drops being significantly more effective compared to common viscous eye drops.  However, both have limitations of efficacy and residence time. With the viscous solutions, the concentration of lubricants such as HPMC, CMC, PVA, etc., is important in achieving greater efficacy.  Viscous solutions become more effective as their concentration increases; however, as concentration is increased, the solutions become progressively more uncomfortable for the patient.  Also, as the concentration of viscous eye drops is increased, residence time can become diminished because the higher concentrated viscous solutions tend to cause blurring of vision and foreign-body sensation which may induce excessive blinking.  Such activation of blinking generally often results in rapid elimination from the corneal surface. Therefore, currently available dry eye solutions have limited efficacy.

Similarly, with viscoelastic eye drops, the concentration and molecular weight of the biopolymers in the solution can affect the duration of residence time, patient comfort and the degree of moisturizing vital surfaces of the eye.  Increases in the concentration or molecular weight of viscoelastic eye drops may result in greater patient comfort and residence time but concomitant blurring of vision can occur which can be debilitating and potentially dangerous to the patient, especially during day-time hours when the patient is active.

I-Drop^®, viscoadaptive eye drops, provides significant patient comfort and long residence time without causing blurring of vision.  The viscoadaptive nature of this product permits the use of lower concentrations of hyaluronan as a delivery vehicle for the glycerin lubricant.  I-Drop^® provides a high degree of long-lasting moisturizing to the patient, superior natural coating of the surfaces of the eye and a reduction in the number of required applications, especially during day-time usage.