Optimal product characteristics* and clinical trial outcomes
| Optimal product characteristics† | |
| Formulation | Drops (with or without a dropping aid) vs least popular option: slow-release conjunctival insert. |
| Component | Artificial tears (rather than antibacterial or steroids). |
| Dosage | As needed (rather than with specified frequency). |
| Onset of action on symptoms | Within 5 min. |
| Onset of action on underlying disease | As quickly as possible (eg, within a week). |
| Most relevant trial outcomes‡ | |
| Elimination of dry eyes symptoms | Eye discomfort, including eye dryness (more important than itchy eyes, feeling like something is in your eye, eyes that feel like they have been scratched, crusty or gooey eyes that get stuck shut in the morning, pressure in the eye). Eye sensitivity, including sensitivity due to light/glare and wind/recirculated air. Eye pain, including general eye pain, burning eyes or stinging eyes. Eye fatigue, including tired eyes and aching or sore eyes. |
| Treatment of the underlying disease | Repair of eye surface damage. Improvement of tear quality and restoration of the essential components of tears. Reduction in eye redness and inflammation. |
*Determined by choosing attributes with product characteristics within the 10 most important attributes.
†Some preferences may be related to familiarity, but this underlines areas where a different approach would require some educational effort.
‡Most symptoms (apart from eye pain) can be captured by using the Symptom Bother section of the IDEEL Questionnaire.