What's new in dry eye research today? | Sep 3, 2026

【Title】Comparative Efficacy of Topical Eye-Drop Regimens for Dry Eye After Cataract Surgery: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis

【Journal】Ophthalmol Ther

【Authors】Boyang Song; Yukang Li; Chengfei Liu; et al.

【Summary】This systematic review and network meta-analysis compared topical eye-drop regimens for dry eye after cataract surgery. Forty-seven randomized trials involving 4,920 eyes were included, with 38 trials contributing to network meta-analyses across 19 treatment nodes. Compared with routine postoperative care, moderate-confidence evidence showed longer tear-film breakup time with diquafosol plus hyaluronic acid (mean difference 4.17 s) and cyclosporine plus carboxymethylcellulose (3.97 s). Additional outcome-specific benefits were observed for tear secretion and corneal staining, while symptom-related findings were considered exploratory. However, many treatment rankings were based on only one or two trials, and some estimates were affected by risk of bias or local incoherence. The authors conclude that no single regimen demonstrated consistent benefits across all outcomes, highlighting the need for larger, standardized head-to-head trials.

【Title】A gellan gum-based in situ gel for prolonged ocular retention of ruxolitinib in dry eye disease

【Journal】Int J Biol Macromol

【Authors】Qiao Zeng; Xu Chen; Xinghao Chen; et al.

【Summary】This study developed an ion-sensitive in situ gel containing ruxolitinib (Ru) using polyvinylpyrrolidone-K12 and gellan gum to improve ocular retention for dry eye disease (DED). The optimized formulation showed rapid ion-triggered gelation and shear-thinning behavior without impairing Ru diffusion. In rabbits, the gel increased aqueous humor Ru exposure by 5.14-fold compared with Ru solution, suggesting that prolonged precorneal retention was the main mechanism. In a benzalkonium chloride-induced rat DED model, Ru gel significantly improved tear secretion, tear film breakup time, and corneal integrity. The Ru-loaded formulation also promoted recovery of the corneal epithelium and conjunctival goblet cells. These findings support the potential of gellan gum-based in situ gels as a sustained ocular delivery platform for ruxolitinib in DED.