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Advances in understanding and managing dry eye disease
1Department of Ophthalmology, Georgetown University School of Medicine, 4000 Cathedral Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016, USA. malemp@lempdc.com
American Journal of Ophthalmology
|July 5, 2008
Summary
Fundamental changes in understanding dry eye disease (DED) are needed, impacting its prevalence, cause, diagnosis, and treatment. New approaches are essential for developing effective therapies for this widespread condition.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Ocular Surface Disease
- Tear Film Dynamics
Background:
- Dry eye disease (DED) involves complex interactions within the ocular surface.
- The tear film and ocular surface form an integrated physiological unit regulated by a neural network.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current literature and scientific presentations on dry eye disease.
- To support fundamental shifts in understanding DED's prevalence, pathogenesis, definition, diagnosis, and management.
- To explore prospects for new therapeutic development.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive review and interpretation of existing scientific literature.
- Analysis and clinical perspective of recent scientific meeting presentations.
Main Results:
- The ocular surface and tear film are regulated by a sensory-driven neural network.
- Homeostasis is maintained by this network, but disturbances (age, hormones, autoimmune disease, medications, environment) lead to DED.
- Current diagnostic and clinical trial methods for DED are limited by poor sign-symptom correlation and flawed endpoints.
Conclusions:
- Advances in understanding DED causation offer new opportunities for improved diagnosis and management.
- Developing objective biomarkers is crucial for future DED drug development and clinical trials.
- More effective therapies are needed to manage this prevalent and debilitating ocular condition.
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