A potential adverse effect of intensified treatment with sodium hyaluronate artificial tears

Corneal calcification following intensified treatment with sodium hyaluronate artificial tears

Article specifications

This clinical trial was published in 2006 in journal of Br J Ophthalmol (IF 2018: 3.02) by Swiss specialists. The aim of this study was to report a potential adverse effect of intensified treatment with sodium hyaluronate artificial tears. Five cases of deep calcium deposition in the cornea associated with ocular surface disease and frequent use of hyaluronic acid artificial tears are described. All patients used one formulation of phosphate buffered hyaluronate eye drops when rapid calcification developed. All eyes required corneal graft surgery for visual rehabilitation.

 

Results

The hyaluronate artificial tear formulation "Hylo-Comod" favours the formation of insoluble crystalline calcium phosphate deposits in presence of epithelial keratopathy. This is because of its high phosphate concentration and typically frequent instillation. Manufacturers and prescribers should be aware that topical preparations may contain considerable amounts of phosphate which may lead to sight threatening corneal complications.