Hyaluronan is a natural component of the body. It has outstanding water-binding properties which are particularly well-suited to the treatment of dry eyes. The use of eye drops with hyaluronan is one of the most common methods for treating dry eyes.

What does hyaluronan do in the body?

Hyaluronan has several functions within the body. It is mainly present in cartilage and connective tissue and is essential for cell division. It has an outstanding ability to bind water. By way of comparison: one gram of hyaluronan can absorb up to six litres of water. Thus, themolecule, which looks like a ball of wool, serves above all in the body to store water in connective tissue. Furthermore, due to chemical interactions, hyaluronan adheres particularly well and for a long time to the surfaces of tissues and supports wound healing through its moisturising effect. Hyaluronan serves as a lubricant for all movements in the joints.
 

Hyaluronan in medicine

The sodium salt in hyaluronan, sodium hyaluronate as it is known, is used in therapy. Alongside eye drops with hyaluronan, there are the following medical applications:

• as a lubricant for joints in arthritis
• in nasal sprays for lubricating a dry nose
• in throat lozenges for lubricating the mouth and throat
• in eye operations, for example for filling the vitreous body

Hyaluronan is also very popular in cosmetics. Hyaluronan has a wide range of uses in food supplements or creams, in filling wrinkles, scars or for padding unevenness under the skin.
Because hyaluronan occurs naturally in the body, it has a high degree of tolerability.
 

Hyaluronan in eye drops

Hyaluronan has proven itself for treating dry eyes (sicca syndrome), thanks to its outstanding properties: due to its ability to absorb a lot of water, hyaluronan lubricates the cornea and conjunctiva and is used as an eye lubricant. In the process, the high viscosity of the drops leads to the formation of a stable tear film, without impairing vision. Furthermore, hyaluronan adheres to the surface of the eye, which means it has a long dwell time in the eye and rarely needs topping up. Hyaluronan forms a protective film on the eye. This in turn reduces rubbing between the eyelid and the cornea, a blessing for irritated and dry eyes.

Eye drops with hyaluronan can have different viscosities due to different concentrations of hyaluronate. HYLO COMOD^® from Ursapharm contains 0.1 per cent hyaluronan and is ideal for mild to moderately dry eyes. HYLO^® GEL has a 0.2 per cent hyaluronan solution. This is characterized by a high viscosity, which means the eye drops stay on the surface of the eye longer and are ideal for severe forms of dry eyes.

All eye lubricating products from the HYLO^® EYE range are free from preservatives and phosphates – for the good of your eyes.
 

Conclusion

Hyaluronan has been used millions of times in different areas of medicine and has really proven itself in many applications. When used in eye drops against dry eyes, hyaluronan offers remarkable results and benefits for the user.