Scientists from the Spanish Institute of the Structure of Matter have figured out how to bring artificial tears closer to the natural composition in order to alleviate dry eye syndrome. As part of the study, the results of which were published in the journal Physics of Fluids, scientists collected tears from healthy people and tested 10 different formulations of artificial tears.
Their analysis allowed to improve understanding of how different concentrations of substances affect viscosity (fluidity), elasticity and stability. They also evaluated the behavior of fluids at the micron level under conditions such as blinking.
Compared to artificial tears or other eye drops, human tears are a much more complex fluid with a wide range of components including lipids, carbohydrates, proteins, water, and salts. It is this complex blend that gives tears the ideal thickness and eye-moisturizing power that is difficult to replicate with fewer ingredients.
The experts intend to continue studying more complex compositions of artificial tears and extend their work to the study of human tears with various pathologies.
Source: Rosbalt
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