Nasal spray shows promise in dry eye disease

OC-01 (Varenicline; Oyster Point Pharma) nasal spray was found to significantly reduces goblet cell area and perimeter in dry eye disease (DED), demonstrating goblet cell degranulation, according to data presented at the 2020 AAO Virtual Meeting.

Varenicline nasal spray is approved in the United States for smoking cessation and has been shown to stimulate tear production through the nasolacrimal reflex. Researchers sought to determine the effect of OC-01 on goblet cells, which contribute to the maintenance of tear film stability.

In this Phase 2, single-center, randomized clinical trial, 18 patients with DED were randomized to receive OC-01 nasal spray (n = 12) or placebo (n = 12). Goblet cell alterations were analyzed using in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) images of the bulbar conjunctiva before and 10 minutes after nasal spray was administered.

Goblet cell perimeter in the control and OC-01 groups for pre-and post-treatment were 33.7 and 31.9 and 38.9 and 31.2 (P = 0.031), respectively. Pre- and post-treatment changes in goblet cell area were 78.7 and 72 and 106.4 and 67.6 (P = 0.016), respectively.

Reference
Hamrah P, et al. OC-01 (Varenicline) Nasal Spray Induces Goblet Cell Alterations in Patients with Dry Eye Disease. Presented at: 2020 AAO Virtual Meeting.