Sodium hyaluronate with trehalose

How it works

Sodium hyaluronate retains water and provides a long-residence lubricating film over the ocular surface, while trehalose acts as a bio-protective osmolyte that helps stabilise surface cells against desiccation and hyperosmolar stress.

Prescribing in practice

• It provides symptomatic ocular surface lubrication and does not treat an underlying cause such as blepharitis or infection, which should be managed separately if present.
• Preservative-free preparations are preferred for frequent use or where preservative sensitivity is a concern.
• If other eye drops are also used, separate the instillation times and apply the lubricant last to avoid washout.

Monitoring

No laboratory monitoring is needed; review symptom relief and frequency of use, escalating dry-eye management if control is inadequate.

Counselling the patient

• Use as often as needed for comfort, including before activities such as screen use that worsen dryness.
• Apply lubricating drops last if you are using other eye medicines, leaving a short gap between them.
• Seek review if the eye becomes painful, very red or vision is affected, as this is more than simple dryness.

Evidence & guidelines

Hyaluronate-based lubricants, including hyaluronate-trehalose combinations, are an established symptomatic treatment for dry eye disease, with preservative-free options recommended for frequent dosing.