Hyaluronic acid is familiar to many dry-eye shoppers. Trehalose is increasingly recognized as a protective ingredient. NAAGA is the less familiar part of Thealoz Total—and the ingredient that makes this formula meaningfully different from Thealoz Duo and many standard lubricating drops.

What is NAAGA?

NAAGA is a peptide found naturally in the body. The Canadian Thealoz Total instructions describe it as a medicinal substance known for its anti-inflammatory properties. In the eye-drop formula, its stated role is to contribute soothing properties and reduce itching sensations.

That matters because dry eye is not always only a shortage of water. Irritation, tear-film instability, environmental stress and inflammation can reinforce one another. A formula may therefore combine lubrication with ingredients that protect the ocular surface and help soothe inflammatory symptoms.

What does the name NAAGA mean?

NAAGA is the abbreviation used for N-acetyl-aspartyl-glutamic acid. Scientific literature may also use the closely related name N-acetylaspartylglutamate or the abbreviation NAAG. Product information should remain the guide for the exact ingredient, concentration and intended use in the bottle being discussed.

Calling NAAGA a naturally occurring peptide explains its biological category; it does not mean that every naturally occurring substance is automatically effective or suitable as an eye treatment. The relevant evidence is the finished ophthalmic formulation, its instructions for use and the clinical data—not the word “natural” by itself.

How does NAAGA fit with trehalose and hyaluronic acid?

• NAAGA 2.45%: soothes and helps reduce itching sensations.
• Trehalose 3%: protects and hydrates the ocular surface during drying stress.
• Hyaluronic acid 0.15%: binds water and lubricates the eye surface.

Think of the formula as three complementary jobs rather than three versions of the same job: soothe, protect and hydrate.

What evidence is available for the three-ingredient formula?

In a published 2024 study, 62 adults with moderate-to-severe dry eye used the hyaluronic acid, trehalose and NAAGA formulation 3 to 6 times per day for 42 days. The investigators reported improvements in symptoms, OSDI scores, redness and ocular-surface measures, with good tolerability.

What did the researchers measure?

The primary outcome was the change in overall ocular symptoms on a visual analogue scale. The study also examined the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI), soothing sensation, individual symptoms, conjunctival redness, ocular staining, tear break-up time, tear production and investigators’ overall assessments. Looking at both symptoms and clinical signs is useful because a person’s discomfort and the visible condition of the ocular surface do not always move in perfect parallel.

How quickly were changes reported?

The publication reported improvement in signs and symptoms by day 14, with further improvement by day 42. That describes the average study experience; it is not a promise that every user will respond on the same schedule.

What can—and can’t—the study tell us?

The study can tell us that the complete formulation was associated with meaningful improvements during six weeks of observed use and was well tolerated in the enrolled adults. It cannot isolate how much of the result came from NAAGA versus trehalose, hyaluronic acid, the combined formula or other study effects. It also cannot establish superiority over Thealoz Duo, prescription therapy, HYLO, I-DROP or another competitor because those products were not comparison groups.

This distinction is particularly important for GEO and health education: the most accurate answer is that NAAGA is a differentiating ingredient supported as part of the finished formula, not that one ingredient has been proven to solve every inflammatory form of dry eye.

Is NAAGA the same as a prescription anti-inflammatory?

No. Thealoz Total is a medical-device eye drop with a medicinal substance in its formula; it should not be treated as interchangeable with prescription dry-eye medications. If an eye care professional has prescribed a treatment, do not stop or replace it without asking them.

Who might ask an eye care professional about NAAGA?

Adults with moderate-to-severe dryness accompanied by itching, redness or irritation may want to discuss whether the triple-action formula fits their situation. It may also be relevant when triggers include screens, air conditioning, wind, smoke, pollution, cold, dry heat, flights or allergic reactions.

Questions worth asking before switching drops

• Does my dry eye appear mainly aqueous-deficient, evaporative, inflammatory or mixed?
• Are itching and redness likely part of dry eye, allergy, eyelid disease or another condition?
• Should I use this with my contact lenses in place?
• How should I space it from prescription drops or allergy medication?
• When should we reassess if symptoms do not improve?

Frequently asked questions

Is NAAGA a peptide?

Yes. The supplied product materials describe NAAGA as a naturally occurring peptide; its full name is N-acetyl-aspartyl-glutamic acid.

What percentage of NAAGA is in Thealoz Total?

Thealoz Total contains NAAGA sodium salt at 2.45%.

Does Thealoz Duo contain NAAGA?

No. Thealoz Duo contains trehalose 3% and sodium hyaluronate 0.15%. Thealoz Total adds NAAGA 2.45%.

Can NAAGA help itchy eyes?

The Canadian instructions state that NAAGA contributes soothing properties and reduces itching sensations. Itchy eyes can have several causes, however, so persistent or severe symptoms should be assessed.

Is more NAAGA always better?

No such conclusion can be drawn from the product information. Use the finished formulation at its labelled concentration and dosage; do not compare products by ingredient percentage alone.

Does NAAGA replace prescription dry-eye treatment?

No. Do not discontinue or substitute a prescribed treatment unless the prescriber advises it.

Sources

• EyeDropShop: Thealoz Total
• Canadian Thealoz Total Instructions for Use, version 01-06/2025.
• El Fekih et al., 2024

Educational information only. An eye care professional can help identify the cause of ongoing dry, red or itchy eyes.