Health & Wellbeing

Neurostimulator goes through the nose to make tears

Neurostimulator goes through the nose to make tears
TrueTear causes the eyes to produce tears by stimulating a nerve in the nasal cavity
TrueTear causes the eyes to produce tears by stimulating a nerve in the nasal cavity
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TrueTear causes the eyes to produce tears by stimulating a nerve in the nasal cavity
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TrueTear causes the eyes to produce tears by stimulating a nerve in the nasal cavity
TrueTear is made by the company Allergan, and is available by prescription only
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TrueTear is made by the company Allergan, and is available by prescription only

Dry eye syndrome is an irritating condition that occurs when the eyes don't produce enough tears. Ordinarily, sufferers turn to drops or other medication to keep their eyes lubricated. Recently, however, researchers at the Cincinnati Eye Institute tested a new gadget that promises drug-free relief from dry eye – and you stick it up your nose.

Known as TrueTear, the device was designed by biomedical engineer Michael Ackermann.

It consists of a battery-powered base unit, and a disposable tip. That tip has two gel-covered prongs on the end, which are gently inserted up the nostrils. Once they've gone as far as they can comfortably go, the user activates the device, causing it to stimulate to a nerve in the nasal cavity. This, in turn, causes the eyes to produce tears.

In the recent study, 97 volunteers with moderate to severe dry eye were asked to use TrueTear for a period of 180 days. Tests performed before and after nasal stimulation indicated that use of the device did indeed result in significantly higher levels of tears.

TrueTear is made by the company Allergan, and is available by prescription only
TrueTear is made by the company Allergan, and is available by prescription only

Additionally, the tears that were produced were "complete," meaning that they contained all the elements found in natural tears. Sometimes, people with dry eye do produce enough tears, but they're lacking in key substances such as oils or proteins.

The study was lead by Prof. Edward J. Holland, and was presented at the 121st Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. TrueTear is made by the company Allergan, and is available by prescription only.

Sources: AAO, TrueTear

4 comments
4 comments
Ianspeed
Cool, I've just been diagnosed with dry eyes, need to get one of these! Save a fortune at £12.00 per 15ml of eye spray!
Nik
Cutting up an onion will do much the same,.No prescription required!
christopher
Faking a huge yawn immediately relieves my own dry eye issues, and it's free.
Saigvre
Decent! Colored as to not get lost. Might make better tears than the onion or yawn, depending on what's afflicting dryness on ya. Martial arts and Tex-Mex Mole Festivals don't always get it on day 1.