Strong, clinically relevant evidence supports the use of Rohto Dry Aid in the management of mild to moderate dry eye disease (DED), according to a recent study.
The povidone and propylene glycol microemulsion study, published in Arquivos Brasileiros de Oftalmologia,1 was a 28day prospective randomised controlled study (RCT) evaluating Rohto Dry Aid in 26 participants (52 eyes) with mild to moderate DED.
Rohto Dry Aid contains povidone, propylene glycol, sesame oil, castor oil, and polyoxyl-40 stearate. The microemulsion lubricant creates a multi-layer therapeutic effect: Povidone integrates with the mucous layer, to improve hydration, and reduce friction; sesame and castor oils replenish both polar and non-polar lipids, improving evaporation resistance experienced by 86% of patients; surfactants such as polyoxyl-40 stearate help stabilise the lipid–aqueous interface; and low-dose menthol stimulates TRPM8 pathways, promoting basal tearing and providing a soothing effect.
The study reinforced that Rohto’s multi-layer microemulsion is not only physiologically sound but clinically validated. It found that tear breakup time improved significantly from 6.3 seconds to 10.0 seconds (p<0.001), with the proportion of eyes achieving TBUT ≥10 seconds increasing from 25% to 63.5%.
Eyes with a corneal staining score of 0 increased from 23.1% to 69.2%, indicating corneal epithelial integrity, and normal meibomian gland function scores rose from 3.8% to 30.8%, demonstrating structural and functional benefits.
Visual acuity improved from 79.87 to 84.06 letters (p<0.001), correlating with improved tear-film smoothness, and ocular surface disease index (OSDI) scores dramatically reduced, with 50% of participants achieving OSDI ≤12 by day 14, sustained at day 28.
Qualityoflife indices also improved significantly, measured by EurQol 5-Dimensions, 5-Levels questionnaire, a standardised, internationally validated questionnaire to measure health-related quality of life outcomes. Patients reported less pain or discomfort, symptoms interfering less with daily activities, less distress associated with eye discomfort, and their overall perceived health score increased.
According to optometrist Dr Margaret Lam, these findings are clinically meaningful because TBUT, staining, and symptom burden, are among the most useful metrics in everyday practice, and the study validated results based on significant improvement in quality-of-life outcomes.
ALIGNED WITH TFOS DEWS III
Dr Lam, who consults to Rohto, said the study’s outcomes “strongly align with TFOS DEWS III’s (Tear Film and Ocular Surface Society’s third Dry Eye Workshop) central focus on restoring tear film stability and improving functional visual performance”.
“these findings are clinically meaningful because TBUT, staining, and symptom burden, are among the most useful metrics in everyday practice”
Published in late 2025, the DEWS III report marked a major shift in how clinicians can approach diagnosis, classification, and management of dry eye disease. Unlike previous frameworks, it places strong emphasis on restoring tear film homeostasis, understanding neurosensory drivers of symptoms, and adopting a more personalised diagnostic approach based on etiological factors rather than rigid subtypes.2
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“Dry eye disease has become one of the most prevalent and disruptive conditions seen in contemporary optometric practice,” Dr Lam said. “As digital habits intensify, device use increases, and demographic ageing continues, clinicians are encountering increasing numbers of symptomatic patients who experience fluctuating comfort and unstable vision throughout the day.
“Yet, despite its ubiquity, dry eye remains complex: signs often do not correlate with symptoms, disease mechanisms overlap, and patients present with a broad range of functional impacts.”
Dr Lam said Rohto Dry Aid is well-suited as a foundational therapy for patients across the spectrum of DED severity and can enhance outcomes for digital device users who experience fluctuating vision and evaporative stress.
“Rohto dry eye addresses evaporative and mixed mechanisms via lipid enhancement and reduces neurosensory disruption through menthol/TRPM8 signalling. It can be effectively paired with inpractice treatments such as warm compresses, gland expression, and lid hygiene,” she said.
The multidose version, distributed by Ophthalmopro, is currently available and a preservative-free single-dose format will arrive in Australia and New Zealand in the first quarter of 2026. Visit: ophthalmopro.com.au.
References available at mivision.com.au.