What's new in dry eye research today? | Sep 21, 2026

【Title】Standardized small black soybean extract improves tear film stability and dry eye-related symptoms: a 12 week randomized placebo-controlled trial

【Journal】Food & Function

【Authors】Yoonhee Lee; Hyungbin Hwang; Juyeon Park; et al.

【Summary】This 12-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluated the effects of standardized small black soybean extract (SSBS) supplementation in 100 adults with dry eye symptoms and ocular fatigue. Among 81 participants in the per-protocol analysis, SSBS significantly improved tear film break-up time (TBUT) compared with placebo at Week 12 (+0.35 ± 1.54 vs −0.33 ± 1.46 s; ANCOVA p=0.0397) and produced a greater reduction in OSDI scores (−22.41 ± 23.16 vs −12.65 ± 14.59; ANCOVA p=0.0359). Exploratory analyses suggested greater symptom improvement in participants with more severe baseline symptoms and favorable changes in tear secretion and conjunctival hyperemia among those with high digital-device exposure. No clinically meaningful safety concerns were identified.

【Title】Nanomicelles self-assembled using cyclosporine A-hyaluronic acid conjugates for dry eye disease treatment

【Journal】Biomaterials Science

【Authors】Zhenyi Lin; Mingrui Cheng; Haonan Cui; et al.

【Summary】This study developed hyaluronic acid–cyclosporine A (HA-CsA) conjugates that spontaneously self-assemble into nanomicelles (HCN) to improve the topical delivery of cyclosporine A for dry eye disease. HCN showed good physiological stability and enhanced uptake by hyperosmotic-stressed human corneal epithelial cells, while demonstrating greater cytocompatibility and stronger suppression of inflammatory mediators than free CsA. In a desiccating-stress mouse model, topical HCN significantly improved corneal epithelial integrity, tear secretion, and goblet cell survival, while reducing inflammatory gene expression, macrophage activation, and epithelial apoptosis. HCN outperformed free CsA across the evaluated parameters, suggesting that this conjugation-based nanoplatform may improve local drug delivery and sustained immunomodulation in DED.