Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 5, 2025

Establishment of A Mouse Model of Aqueous Deficiency Dry Eye
Published on: November 1, 2024
Ocular Surface Ion Transport and Dry Eye Disease
Ethan S Lindgren1, Onur Cil2, Alan S Verkman3
1Department of Ophthalmology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
Purpose Of Review:
To review the role of ocular surface epithelial (corneal and conjunctival) ion transporters in the pathogenesis and treatment of dry eye disease (DED).
Recent Findings:
Currently, anti-inflammatory agents are the mainstay of DED treatment, though there are several agents in development that target ion transport proteins on the ocular surface, acting by pro-secretory or anti-absorptive mechanisms to increase the tear fluid Film volume. Activation or inhibition of selected ion transporters can alter tear fluid osmolality, driving water transport onto the ocular surface via osmosis. Several ion transporters have been proposed as potential therapeutic targets for DED, including the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), calcium-activated chloride channels (CaCCs), and the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC).
Summary:
Ocular surface epithelial cell ion transporters are promising targets for pro-secretory and anti-absorptive therapies of DED.
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