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Evolving knowledge of the unmet needs in dry eye disease
Jeffrey D Dunn, Paul M Karpecki1, Mary Elizabeth Meske
1Kentucky Eye Institute, 601 Perimeter Dr, Ste 100, Lexington, KY 40517.
The American Journal of Managed Care
|April 15, 2021
Summary
Dry eye disease is a growing concern, particularly for aging populations. Current treatments for dry eye disease are limited, highlighting an unmet need for therapies addressing its root causes.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Public Health
Background:
- Dry eye disease (DED) is a prevalent, often underdiagnosed condition in the US.
- Its prevalence is increasing due to an aging population.
- DED significantly impacts ocular health and vision-related quality of life, affecting daily functioning.
Purpose of the Study:
- To discuss the evolution of understanding and managing DED.
- To identify unmet needs in DED knowledge and therapeutics.
- To explore future directions for advancing DED treatment.
Main Methods:
- A panel of 7 managed care executives and 2 eye care practitioners convened.
- The panel discussed changes in DED management over the past two decades.
- Expert opinions on current DED knowledge and therapeutic gaps were gathered.
Main Results:
- The panel acknowledged significant advancements in understanding DED.
- A consensus emerged regarding an unmet need for treatments targeting the underlying causes of DED.
- Current pharmaceutical treatments primarily focus on symptom relief and inflammation management.
Conclusions:
- There is a critical need for novel therapeutics that address the fundamental mechanisms of DED.
- Future advancements should focus on a deeper understanding of DED pathophysiology.
- The field requires further innovation to meet the needs of patients with dry eye disease.
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