A comparative study of rebamipide 2% and carboxy methylcellulose (CMC) 0.5% eye drop in patients with dry eyes: A randomized, hospital-based study

Aim: To compare the efficacy of 2% rebamipide and 0.5% Carboxy methylcellulose (CMC) eye drops in dry eye patients. Materials and Methods: A 100 dry eye patients were enlisted and screened. Patients were allotted randomly into 2 groups-(Group-A) 2% rebamipide or (Group-B) 0.5% Carboxy methylcellulose (CMC) ophthalmic solution, after screening and instilled as 1 drop in each eye four times a day, for about two months. The signs and symptoms were assessed -at baseline, 2, 4, and at 8-week visits. The objective signs were –“Schirmer test and Tear film break-up time” (TBUT) while subjective symptoms were dry eye related ocular symptoms (foreign body sensation, dryness, photophobia, eye pain, and blurred vision. Results: A compelling improvement was noticed in the Schirmer test and TBUT values after the treatment in the 2% rebamipide group. The patients on 2% rebamipide eye drop showed considerable improvement in dry eye related ocular symptoms, than the patients on 0.5% CMC eye drop (51% and 29% respectively) at 2 months. Conclusions: 2% rebamipide ophthalmic solution was more efficient in improving both the subjective symptoms and objective signs of dry eye in comparison to the CMC group in this 8-week study. These findings showed that 2% rebamipide is the more effective drug for dry eye.