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Nearly all of the ophthalmologists surveyed (94%) believe more treatmentoptions are needed for moderate to severe dry eye. While 80% feel currenttherapies are effective for mild dry eye, only 33% feel they are effective formoderate dry eye and 67% feel they are only somewhat effective or not veryeffective. Only 5% feel current therapies are effective for severe dry eye,while 56% feel they are somewhat effective and 38%, not very or not at alleffective.
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"Ophthalmologists are still looking for more effective therapies fortreating moderate to severe dry eye," commented Dr. Penny Asbell, Professor,Department of Ophthalmology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine; Director, CorneaServices and Refractive Surgery Center, New York; and co-author of the pivotaltextbook 'Dry Eye Disease, the Clinician's Guide to Diagnosis and Treatment.'"Nearly all ophthalmologists want more treatment options for these moreserious cases." Dr. Asbell is a member of Aton Pharma's Scientific AdvisoryBoard.
"We are proud to be working with Dr. Asbell to contribute to eye careprofessionals' insights about the state of the art of treatment of dry eye,"stated Michael G. Wells, Chief Executive Officer of Aton Pharma."Ophthalmology is one of the important markets Aton serves as a diversifiedspecialty pharmaceutical company providing medically essential therapies topatients around the world."
Treatment Approaches and Options
The survey respondents reported that over the course of a year, theyprescribe, recommend or suggest an average of 1.9 different treatmentapproaches for each mild dry eye patient, 3.2 treatment approaches for eachmoderate dry eye patient and 4.9 treatment approaches for each severe dry eyepatient. Most (81%) of the survey respondents reported that signs andsymptoms of moderate/severe dry eye can be improved but seldom eliminated.
"We work very hard to help moderate to severe dry eye patients seekingrelief," Dr. Asbell continued, "but the reality is, there is only so much wecan do for them right now. Due to the great variation among dry eye patients,we need as many effective treatment options as possible." Most (83%) of thesurvey respondents feel there is a treatment gap between artificial tears andmore aggressive treatments for moderate/severe dry eye.
Lacrisert is administered by the patient into the inferior cul-de-sac ofthe eye, where it gently dissolves to provide lubrication and protection tothe surface of the eye. Lacrisert provides practitioners and patients with anintermediate treatment option between artificial tears and more aggressivetreatments.
Treatment Goals and Considerations
In other survey results, the chief goals in treatment of moderate/severedry eye patients were identified by ophthalmologists as maintaining andprotecting the ocular surface (ranked #1 or #2 goal by 74%) and lubricatingand hydrating the ocular surface (ranked #1 or #2 goal by 67%).
Among the most common key considerations by ophthalmologists whenselecting treatment products for moderate/severe dry eye patients are abilityto provide continuous relief (84%) and ability to use long-term (74%). Otherconsiderations selected by a majority include dosing frequency (66%), lengthof time preserving the tear film (66%) and length of time to effectiveness(63%).
Once the patient inserts Lacrisert in the morning or at bedtime, itusually lasts the entire day or night, providing an important option to offerpatients suffering from chronic discomfort from dry eye disease. In somepatients, Lacrisert may also help slow, stop or reverse further damage to thecorneal surface. Lacrisert is preservative-free and can be used concomitantlywith other dry eye medications.
Survey Methodology
The survey was completed between October 9 and October 21, 2008.Ophthalmologists across the nation were invited via e-mail to enter the onlinesurvey, and those who treated 4 or more moderate to severe dry eye patientsper month were asked to complete the survey. A total of 245 completed thesurvey, including 51 corneal specialists, 153 comprehensive/generalophthalmologists and 41 from other ophthalmology specialty categories. Asurvey sample of this size has a 95% confidence interval of + 6%.
About Dry Eye
Dry eye can result from a wide range of conditions, including aging;hormonal changes; environmental conditions such as cigarette smoke, dust, airconditioning or sun exposure; cold or allergy medications; as a side effect ofvision correction surgery or cosmetic eyelid surgery; contact lens use; andSjogren's syndrome. Despite decades of research and advances in treatment, dryeye syndrome remains one of the most common and challenging issues cliniciansdeal with in practice. Because it is not a condition identified by a specificpathological mechanism, no single therapeutic solution works for all patients.
About Lacrisert
Lacrisert has been FDA-approved for use in patients with moderate tosevere dry eye and available by prescription for more than two decades.Unlike artificial tear substitutes that have a residence time measured inminutes, Lacrisert provides continual lubrication and protection to thesurface of the eye for all-day relief. Lacrisert acts to stabilize andthicken the pre-corneal tear film and prolong the tear film breakup time,which is usually accelerated in patients with dry eye states. Information andeducational video content are available at http://www.Lacrisert.com.
Most adverse reactions with Lacrisert were mild and transient and includedtransient blurring of vision, ocular discomfort or irritation, matting orstickiness of eyelashes, photophobia, hypersensitivity, edema of the eyelids,and hyperemia. Lacrisert should not be used by patients who arehypersensitive to hydroxypropyl cellulose. If improperly placed, Lacrisertmay result in corneal abrasion.
Lacrisert, as demonstrated in several clinical studies, can help toalleviate symptoms in moderate to severe dry eye patients who may not bereceiving adequate relief from artificial tears or who may use preserved tearstoo often. In a study comparing Lacrisert once-daily with artificial tearsused at least 4 times a day, Lacrisert was more effective at relievingsymptoms and was able to help existing tears stay longer on the eye surface.Most patients in clinical studies preferred Lacrisert over artificial tears.Lacrisert has also been shown to be effective in patients with dry eye due toSjogren's syndrome. There are no known interactions with other eyemedications.
About Aton Pharma, Inc.
Aton Pharma, Inc., headquartered in Lawrenceville, NJ, is a global,diversified specialty pharmaceutical company providing essential treatmentsfor under-treated diseases, including chronic moderate to severe dry eye, topatients around the world. Aton's mission is to improve patient outcomes andquality of life worldwide by enhancing and expanding access and availabilityof medically essential therapeutics. Aton's portfolio of seven products, withsales in 32 countries, targets rare and orphan metabolic, neurological,cardiovascular and ophthalmic diseases. For more information, seehttp://www.atonrx.com.
* Some patients may require the flexibility of twice-daily dosing for
optimal results.
SOURCE Aton Pharma, Inc.
