Allergan has launched its TrueTear neurostimulation device during the 2018 American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery and American Society of Ophthalmic Administrators annual meetings in Washington, DC.
TrueTear is cliamed to be the first and only FDA-cleared device developed to temporarily increase tear production during neurostimulation in adult patients.
The handheld neurostimulation device has disposable tips that will be inserted into the nasal cavity to induce production of natural tears.
In two clinical trials, TrueTear is claimed to have been safe and effective in temporarily increasing tear production in adult patients.
US Eye Care senior vice president Jag Dosanjh said: "TrueTear is the latest in a long line of innovations that have helped makeAllergan a leading global eye care company. We are excited to add this drug-free, drop-free treatment option for adult patients with inadequate tear production to our current portfolio. This milestone truly represents our company's ongoing commitment to developing eye care products that help improve the lives of patients.
"For more than 70 years, Allergan has remained focused on delivering the most innovative eye care products in the industry. TrueTear continues the proud heritage of our foundational philosophy: to bring innovative treatments to patients around the world."
Eastern Virginia Medical School Professor of Ophthalmology and Virginia Eye Consultants president John Sheppard stated that in clinical trials, TrueTear provides tiny pulses of energy within the nasal cavity to create tears and could be appropriate for most patients with inadequate tear production.
Sheppard said: "TrueTear is the first device of its kind, providing a temporary increase in tear production with neurostimulation, thereby returning the ocular surface to a more normal physiologic state without prescribing drops or surgery."
Image: Allergen’s office in Irvine, California. Photo: Courtesy of Allergan.