Dry eye
Overview
Dry eye disease (DED), also known as dry eye syndrome (DES), keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS), and keratitis sicca, is a multifactorial disease of the tears and the ocular surface that results in discomfort, visual disturbance, and tear film instability with potential damage to the ocular surface
The ocular surface is an integrated anatomical unit consisting of 7 key interactive and
interdependent components: the tear film, the lacrimal and accessory lacrimal apparatus, the nasolacrimal drainage system, the eyelids, the bulbar and tarsal conjunctiva, cranial nerve V, and cranial nerve VII. Abnormalities or deficiencies in any of the 7 ocular surface components may worsen dry eye disease, yet promise opportunities for effective therapeutic intervention.
Signs and symptoms
The following are the most common complaints associated with dry eye disease:
- Foreign-body sensation and ocular dryness and grittiness
- Hyperemia
- Mucoid discharge
- Ocular irritation
- Excessive tearing (secondary to reflex secretion)
- Photophobia
- Fluctuating or blurry vision
Pharmacologic therapy
Lubricating supplements are the medications most commonly used to treat dry eye disease. Agents that have been used to treat dry eye disease include the following: