Management of dry eye disease.
The management of dry eye disease (DED) encompasses both pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic approaches, including avoidance of exacerbating factors, eyelid hygiene, tear supplementation, tear retention, tear stimulation, and anti-inflammatory agents. Artificial tears are the mainstay of DED therapy but, although they improve symptoms and objective findings, there is no evidence that they can resolve the underlying inflammation in DED. Topical corticosteroids are effective anti-inflammatory agents, but are not recommended for long-term use because of their adverse-effect profiles. Topical cyclosporine--currently the only pharmacologic treatment approved by the US Food and Drug Administration specifically for DED--is safe for long-term use and is disease-modifying rather than merely palliative. Treatment selection is guided primarily by DED severity. Recently published guidelines propose a severity classification based on clinical signs and symptoms, with treatment recommendations according to severity level.
Lemp
Michael A
MA
Georgetown University, and OcuSense, Inc, Washington, DC, USA. malemp@lempdc.com
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015352:Dry Eye Syndromes / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D006920:Hygiene; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D013752:Tetracycline / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000008:administration & dosage
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D005227:Fatty Acids; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D014801:Vitamin A; D016572:Cyclosporine; D013752:Tetracycline