Hylo-Dual eye drops is an approved treatment in Canada for children 6 years and older, containing 0.5mg/ml Sodium Hyaluronate, 20mg/ml Ectoine, a borate buffer and water. Ectoine is a natural substance formed by microorganisms to protect themselves from extreme environments (e.g.: salt lakes or hot geysers). They adapt to these conditions by so-called extremolytes, like ectoine, which are osmoprotective substances stabilizing biological membranes. Ectoine has a strong water-binding capacity, forming a physiologic barrier protecting cell membranes from contact with allergenic substances and against inflammatory responses to environmental stress (such as dehydration, e.g. by hyperosmolar tears, UV radiation or airborne allergens). Additionally, ectoine has a stabilizing effect on the lipid phase of the tear film by increasing its elasticity, which causes it to spread evenly over the eye surface and protects against the excessive evaporation of tears.