What is Lubricity?
Lubricity is defined as the ability of an interfacing fluid to reduce friction and wear between two moving surfaces. In the eye, the tear film acts similarly as a protective fluid, providing lubricity between the cornea and the lid wiper surface of the upper lid.
Tear lubricity represents a new functional concept. It emphasizes the important role of protecting the corneal surface and upper lid against mechanical stress and trauma invoked during blinking.
In people with dry eye, the tear film no longer provides optimal lubricity. As a result, there is increased friction, and friction causes discomfort, irritates and damages the cornea and lid wiper, worsening dry eye symptoms.6
SYSTANE® Lubricant Eye Drops has the highest index of lubricity of any leading artificial tear5, and can effectively contribute to dry eye relief.
The higher lubricity of SYSTANE® Lubricant Eye Drops:
- prevents further lid and cornea damage from the lid wiper by decreasing the coefficient of friction1,2
- provides a protective coating between the surfaces of the lid and cornea, leading to improved patient comfort1
- helps create a more stable tear film1,3
For longer-lasting dry eye relief, choose SYSTANE® first-line. #1 Doctor Recommended.4
Longer retention, longer dry eye relief
Use of SYSTANE® Lubricant Eye Drops leads to greater epithelial healing7.
SYSTANE® Lubricant Eye Drops showed longer retention time8.
- Korb DR, Herman JP, Greiner JV, et al. Lid wiper epitheliopathy and dry eye symptoms. Eye & Contact Lens. 2005;31(1):2-8.
- Ketelson HA, Asgharian B, Chowhan M, Meadows D. Characterization of physical property attributes for polymer systems used in artificial tear products. Presented at: ARVO; 2004. Abstract No. 70.
- Christensen MT, Stein JM, Stone RP, Meadows DL. Evaluation of the effect on tear film break-up time extension by artificial tears in dry eye patients. Abstract Presented at the 23rd Biennial Cornea Research Conference. Oct 3-4, 2003.
- Survey of Ophthalmologists and Optometrists, Harris Interactive®, October 2007.
- Koffler BH. A Lubricating Eye Drop Improves Comfort and Healing in Dry Eye. Refractive Eyecare® for Ophthalmologists, July 2005.
- Chen H, Gan O, Meadows D, Meyer AE, Baier RE. Evaluation of Lubricity of Marketed Dry Eye Products Using a Tissue-on-Tissue Model. Accepted to AOA 2007.
- Christensen MT, Cohen S, Rinehart J, Akers F, Pemberton B, Bloomenstein M, Lesher M, Kaplan D, Meadows D, Meuse P, Hearn C, Stein JM. Clinical evaluation of an HP-Guar gellable lubricant eye drop for the relief of dryness of the eye. Curr Eye Res. 2004. Jan;28(1):55-62.
- Paugh, JR, Meadows D, Christensen M. The residence time of artificial tears in dry eye subjects. Paper presented at: American Academy of Optometry Annual Meeting; December 2005; San Diego, Calif. E-abstract #050062
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