Animal models of dry eye

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Preclinical Research
• Animal Models

Background:

• Dry eye disease stems from various factors like lacrimal insufficiency, meibomian gland dysfunction, and environmental stressors.
• These factors lead to ocular surface irritation, necessitating effective research models.
• Numerous animal models have been developed to replicate dry eye's diverse pathophysiologies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and characterize existing animal models for dry eye disease.
• To guide researchers in selecting appropriate models for specific dry eye research questions.
• To facilitate the development of novel therapeutic strategies for dry eye.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive Medline searches were conducted to identify relevant English-language articles.
• Manual cross-referencing of identified articles was performed.
• Inclusion of historical articles to provide context for model development.

Main Results:

• A wide array of animal models exist, each simulating distinct dry eye pathophysiologies.
• Mice are frequently used for autoimmune dry eye studies due to genetic diversity and antibody availability.
• Rabbits and dogs are suitable for studying decreased tear secretion and ocular surface changes, offering advantages in lifespan and accessibility.

Conclusions:

• Model selection should align with the specific pathophysiologic mechanism under investigation.
• Mice are ideal for autoimmune dry eye research.
• Rabbits and dogs are better suited for general dry eye signs and evaporative dry eye models.