Effects of diquafosol tetrasodium administration on visual function in short break-up time dry eye

Purpose: To investigate the effect of diquafosol tetrasodium on tear and visual function in short break-up time (sBUT) dry eye (DE). Methods: This interventional nonrandomized comparative study involved 11 eyes in 11 patients with sBUT DE (symptom-positive sBUT group) and 13 eyes in 13 volunteers with BUT values≤5 s without DE symptoms (symptom-negative sBUT group). Tear function was assessed by measuring BUT and Schirmer values. Serial measurements were made of visual acuities (using a functional visual acuity measurement system) and higher-order aberrations (using a wavefront sensor). The parameters were compared before and 1 month after diquafosol tetrasodium instillation. Any changes in symptomatology after administration were also recorded. Results: After diquafosol tetrasodium administration, BUT values tended to increase in the symptom-positive sBUT group (P=0.07) and significantly increased in the symptom-negative sBUT group (P<0.05). LogMAR functional, minimal, and maximal visual acuities and higher-order aberrations significantly decreased after diquafosol tetrasodium administration in the symptom-positive sBUT group (P<0.05), while there were no significant changes in these values in the symptom-negative sBUT group (P>0.05). Diquafosol tetrasodium administration provided relief of DE symptoms in 75% of patients in the symptom-positive sBUT group. Conclusions: Diquafosol tetrasodium appeared to improve tear film stability and visual function in sBUT DE.