What is Sodium Hyaluronate?
Sodium hyaluronate is the sodium salt form of hyaluronic acid (HA) combined with sodium ions. Animal tissues and eyes contain large amounts of hyaluronic acid. Therefore, the earliest hyaluronic acid was extracted from animal tissues. However, current industrial production primarily relies on microbial fermentation methods, such as Stanford Chemical’s HA.
Sodium hyaluronate is one of the most common ingredients in artificial tears. Due to its excellent water retention and lubricating properties, it can effectively relieve dry eye symptoms. Many commercially available artificial tears, especially mid-to-high-end products, include sodium hyaluronate as a key active ingredient.
How Does Sodium Hyaluronate Protect the Eyes?
Sodium hyaluronate helps retain moisture and lubricate ocular tissues. At the same time, it promotes and repairs corneal damage, effectively alleviating symptoms such as dry eyes and eye fatigue.
The primary mechanisms of its protective effects on the eyes are:
(1) High molecular weight: Natural HA typically has a molecular weight between 800,000 and 2.5 million, providing strong lubrication. It reduces friction on wounds and the deposition of fibrin.
(2) High solubility in liquid environments: Sodium hyaluronate forms a three-dimensional spatial network with water molecules through hydrogen bonding, effectively separating injured tissue from healthy tissue.
(3) Forms a protective film on the serous layer: This promotes the healing of damaged tissue and organ serous membranes.
(4) Reduces localized inflammation: It helps prevent bleeding and exudation in tissues.
Wide Applications of Sodium Hyaluronate Eye Drops
Sodium hyaluronate is widely used in eye drops. It can be found in treatments for glaucoma, cataracts, and dry eye syndrome. HA can serve as an adjunctive therapy, increasing viscosity to prolong drug contact with ocular tissues and enhance efficacy. Additionally, due to its moisturizing and lubricating properties, it is commonly used to relieve dryness, irritation, and eye fatigue.
1. Dry Eye Disease (DED)
Sodium hyaluronate eye drops are a first-line treatment for dry eye syndrome, applicable in:
- Aqueous-deficient dry eye (e.g., Sjögren’s syndrome, age-related tear secretion reduction).
- Evaporative dry eye (e.g., meibomian gland dysfunction, prolonged screen use).
- Postoperative dry eye (e.g., temporary tear film instability after LASIK or cataract surgery).
2. Corneal Epithelial Injury Repair
Sodium hyaluronate promotes corneal cell migration and proliferation, used for:
- Mild to moderate corneal epithelial damage (e.g., abrasions, chemical burns, UV burns).
- Recurrent corneal erosion (RCE).
- Neurotrophic keratitis (e.g., impaired corneal healing due to diabetes or trigeminal nerve damage).
3. Perioperative Applications in Ophthalmic Surgery
- Preoperative: Lubricates the eyeball to reduce mechanical friction during procedures.
- Intraoperative: Acts as a viscoelastic agent (high-concentration sodium hyaluronate) to maintain anterior chamber space and protect corneal endothelial cells.
- Postoperative: Relieves dry eye, pain, and promotes wound healing (e.g., after cataract, refractive, or glaucoma surgery).
4. Contact Lens-Related Discomfort
- Serves as a contact lens lubricant, reducing friction between lenses and the cornea.
- Suitable for dryness and foreign body sensation caused by prolonged contact lens wear.
5. Other Applications
- Adjuvant therapy for ocular surface inflammation (e.g., allergic conjunctivitis, chronic conjunctivitis) by reducing irritation through lubrication.
- Exposure keratitis (e.g., due to facial nerve paralysis causing incomplete eyelid closure).
Stanford Chemicals Company (SCC) is a professional hyaluronic acid wholesaler. SCC supplies medical-grade, injection-grade, cosmetic-grade, and food-grade sodium hyaluronate powder with varying molecular weights. Get a Quote