Effects of Xiidra on Closed Eye Tear Film Leukocytes in Dry Eye Disease

Effects of Xiidra on Closed Eye Tear Film Leukocytes in Dry Eye Disease

Every night during sleep, there is an accumulation of white blood cells in the closed eye. The closed eye white blood cells are predominantly neutrophils, but there is a small population (3%) of T cells. The effects of these closed eye white blood cells on dry eye disease pathogenesis have yet to be fully elucidated, but preliminary evidence suggests that closed eye neutrophils may have an associated hyperactivity and increased degranulation in dry eye disease that could contribute to epithelial instability. As an anti-T cell therapy, Xiidra offers an opportunity to better understand how the closed eye white blood cells are recruited and activated. This study also seeks to verify the proposed mechanism of action.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Able to understand and sign an informed consent and HIPAA privacy document
• Greater than 18 years of age at time of informed consent
• Able and willing to follow protocol instructions
• Capable of performing at-home eye wash
• Must be willing to drop off samples and comply with study visit procedures
• For contact lens wearers, must wear lenses at least four hours per day, four days per week

Exclusion Criteria:

• Current cigarette smokers
• Current participation in any investigational drug or device study. If subjects choose to participate in another investigational drug or device study, they will be discontinued from this study protocol.
• Current pregnancy or nursing as indicated by self-report. While not a safety issue, pregnancy or nursing influences the biochemical composition of the tear film.
• Any systemic health conditions that alter tear film physiology
• A history of ocular surgery within the past 12 months
• Any active ocular infection or inflammation
• Any present use of Accutane or ocular medications
• Any history of significant adverse reaction to lifitegrast or other components of the drug product, or contraindication to the use of lifitegrast or other components of the drug product
• Any prior exposure to lifitegrast.
• For normal and dry eye subjects, any history of contact lens wear within the past three months.
• For contact lens wearers, any change of soft contact lens brand or care solutions within 30 days prior to screening or any anticipation of changing current type/brand of contact lenses or care solutions throughout the 84 day study
• Any condition, which in the examiner's opinion, may put the subject at significant risk, confound study results, or interfere with their participation in the study.