Etiology, prevalence, and treatment of dry eye disease

Abstract

Purpose:This review article examines the prevalence, etiology, and current therapies of dry eye disease, with special focus on postmenopausal women.Method:A systematic literature search utilizing MEDLINE was conducted to identify peer-reviewed articles related to dry eye published prior to September 2008. The terms “dry eye” and “women” were searched in combination with one or more of the following words or phrases: prevalence, postmenopausal, etiology, risk factors, therapy, medications, surgery, tear film, and quality of life. Articles were selected based on their direct applicability to the subject matter. A manual search was also conducted based on citations in the published literature.Results:Epidemiologic studies identified prevalence rates ranging from 7% in the United States to 33% in Taiwan and Japan. Risk factors include advanced age, female sex, smoking, extreme heat or cold weather conditions, low relative humidity, use of video display terminals, refractive surgery, contact lens wear, and certain medications.Conclusion:The last decade has brought about a better understanding of the etiology of dry eye disease. New therapies that can alleviate the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease and, consequently, improve the quality of life of dry eye patients are available in the market.

The effect of pH, dilution, and temperature on the viscosity of ocular lubricants—shift in rheological parameters and potential clinical significance

“…13,14 However, a recent systematic review of different ocular lubricants found that eye drops such as hypromellose had the least net changes in improvement compared with carbomer gels and hyaluronic acid products, and low viscosities may explain this. 14 Sodium hyaluronate 0.4% and carboxymethylcellulose sodium 0.5%/glycerin 0.9%, had the highest absolute kinematic viscosities, but also showed steep declines in viscosity with increasing temperature.…”

Contact Lenses: Clinical Evaluation, Associated Challenges and Perspectives

“…However, when there is an environmental stress such as contact lens wear, there could be an increase in the expression of these mediators which then results to tear film dysfunction. 99,100 Ocular allergy is usually considered by ophthalmic practitioners as Type I hypersensitivity. The mechanism of ocular allergy is mediated by immunoglobulin IgE.…”

Corticosteroids and Anti-Complement Therapy in Retinal Diseases

“…"Cool and dry" conditions are ideal, with recommended RH of about 40%. Likewise, outdoor exposure to sun, dust, and wind has (Gayton 2009). These environmental exposures and trauma may also lead to corneal abnormalities, such as pterygium, which can disrupt the tear film and lead to symptoms of dry eye.…”