A Comprehensive Review on Dry Eye Disease: Diagnosis, Medical Management, Recent Developments, and Future Challenges

Abstract

Dry eye syndrome (DES) or keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) is a common disorder of the tear film caused by decreased tear production or increased evaporation and manifests with a wide variety of signs and symptoms. The present review from interpretation of the literature gives detailed information on the prevalence, definition, causes, diagnostic tests, and medical management of dry eye disease. A number of systems contribute to the physiological integrity of the ocular surface and disruption of system may or may not produce symptoms. Therefore accurate diagnosis of dry eyes with no or minimal disruption of physiological function is necessary. The paper also discusses different colloidal drug delivery systems and current challenges in the development of topical ophthalmic drug delivery systems for treatment of KCS. Due to the wide prevalence and number of factors involved, newer, more sensitive diagnostic techniques and novel therapeutic agents have been developed to provide ocular delivery systems with high therapeutic efficacy. The aim of this review is to provide awareness among the patients, health care professionals, and researchers about diagnosis and treatment of KCS and recent developments and future challenges in management of dry eye disease.

Evaluation of dry eye in computer users

“…The estimated number of people affected by dry eye ranges from 25 to 30 million all over the world. 1 There is no doubt that in recent years, dry eye disease has become a common presentation in ophthalmologist outpatient department and is presenting with varying degrees of ocular discomfort and disability. Dry eye's prevalence is more in elderly people, certain high risk groups like farmers, computer users, in environmental exposures such as reduced humidity and increased Wind.…”

Nurses can play an active role in the early diagnosis of exposure keratopathy in intensive care patients

“…The fluorescein test is conducted by dropping 2% (~2 μL) of a tiny fluorescein drop into each conjunctival sac. By using a cobalt‐blue slit lamp in this test, erosion in the cornea and in the conjunctiva due to the lack of tears can be seen more clearly (Câmara et al , ; Phadatare, Momin, Nighojkar, Askarkar, & Singh, ). Any finding that involved the presence of corneal staining in the patients' eyes and, if any, the characteristics and degree of staining were recorded in the fluorescein test patient tracking chart.…”

Dry Eye In Welders Of Puducherry: A Rising Occupational Hazard

“…Reduced blink rate aggravates dry eye by exposing the ocular surface to the ambient atmosphere for a longer duration. 2,10,11 An interplay of these factors could be postulated to explain the increased prevalence of dry eye in welders. The welders fail to use ocular protective equipments like goggles, thereby compounding the risk of ocular morbidity.…”