Anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive concepts.
OBJECTIVE
Patients with symptomatic dry eyes are frequently seen by every ophthalmologist. Understanding of the plethora of factors involved in sicca syndrome is essential to substantially help the patient. Besides important and frequent topical treatment options, anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive systemic treatment concepts sometimes play an additional role.


METHODS
Relevant data of publications listed in Medline between 1966 and 2006 are analyzed.


RESULTS
Local treatment options are listed, immunosuppressive substances are shortly characterized with regard to action, side effects, and control parameters. An overview of new applicable biological substances is given.


CONCLUSIONS
A variety of treatment options can be offered to patients with dry eyes. The spectrum ranges from lubricants to systemical immunosuppressive substances. At present no official guidelines replace individual strategies to treat the patient. An escalation of treatment options has to be performed with individual experience.
Nölle
Bernhard
B
Dept. of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Kiel, Germany.
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015352:Dry Eye Syndromes / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents