[Anti-inflammatory treatment in dry eye disease]

Dry-eye is a multifactorial disease consisting of different pathomechanisms including instability of the tearfilm, increase of tearfilm osmolarity and most importantly inflammation of the ocular surface. In this context numerous signalling pathways and related immune mechanisms were identified all pointing towards autoimmune reactions as key parameters within this complex system. As autoimmunity tends to act independently from regulatory mechanisms, inhibition of related inflammatory processes is crucial in dry-eye therapy. Currently therapeutic agents such as steroids, cyclosporin, antibiotics, omega-3 and -6 fatty acids, etc. are available and readily used in daily practice. However, these therapies possess functional or legal restrictions that may limit their application. New strategies such as anti-lymphangiogenic therapies may have the potential to substitute or enhance current treatments. Independent of any anti-inflammatory therapy a detailed examination of the individual patient is necessary due to the complexity of the disease to provide individual and successful treatment.