Dry eye: Diagnosis and current treatment strategies

Abstract

One in four patients attending ophthalmic clinics report symptoms of dry eye, making it one of the most common complaints seen by ophthalmologists. Aqueous-layer deficiency is the most common form of dry eye and is frequently caused by decreased secretion of tears by the lacrimal glands. Evaporative dry eye is often secondary to meibomian gland disease and results in a defective lipid layer. Tear replacement or preservation using artificial tears and/or punctal occlusion are the mainstay of treatment. Newer forms of therapy were designed to modify the underlying disease process. These include the use of topical cyclosporin A, autologous serum, and sodium hyaluronate drops, which suppress underlying inflammation, provide growth factors, and prevent the onset of squamous metaplasia in ocular surface epithelium. Hormonal therapy might have a role in the future of dry eye therapy.

Prevalence of Dry Eye Disease in a Rural Niger Delta Community, Southern Nigeria

“…According to 2007 report of the international dry eye workshop (DEWS) [1], no single diagnostic test performed in the field or in the clinic could reliably distinguish individuals with and without dry eye. Although a variety of diagnostic tests are commonly used in the clinic, there is no consensus on which combination of tests should be used to define DED, either in the clinic or for the purposes of a research protocol [2].…”

“…Maissa [21] documented that females tend to have a reduction in the aqueous layer of the tear film with increasing age compared to males and that female gender (particularly per-and post-menopausal ages) were risk factors for dry eyes disease [1]. This increase in dry eye is thought to be associated with a decrease in tear production caused by hormonal changes [6].…”

“…Although dry eye is a common eye disease world-wide, many people with dry eyes however, remain undiagnosed and untreated especially in underdeveloped countries [8]. In US, as many as 6% of the population over the age of 40 and more than 15% of the population over the age of 65 suffer from dry eye [1] [2]. According to a survey locally conducted, there is nearly 20% of the population with some dry eye symptoms [4].…”

Fermented <i>Cordyceps cicadae</i> Mycelia Extracts Ameliorate Dry Eye Symptoms through Reduction of Cornea Epithelial Cell Apoptosis and Maintenance of Conjunctival Goblet Cells in a Mouse Dry Eye Model

“…Dry eye disease (DED) prevails between 7.4% and 33.7% among human populations [1] and it was estimated that 25% of patients who visited ophthalmic clinics due to symptoms of dry eye [2]. The risk factors of DED include age, gender, autoimmune disease, long-term contact lens wearing, refractive laser surgery, excessive visual task performance, intake of certain systemic medications, smoking, and low humidity environments [2,3].…”

“…The risk factors of DED include age, gender, autoimmune disease, long-term contact lens wearing, refractive laser surgery, excessive visual task performance, intake of certain systemic medications, smoking, and low humidity environments [2,3]. These risk factors characterize DED as a chronic ocular surface disorder that affects significantly quality of life through enduring discomfort and visual disturbances.…”