Treatments
Traditional treatment for dry eye may include lubricating eye drops, thicker eye ointments, punctal plugs, or even lifestyle changes. Traditional treatments often address the symptoms and some patients do get the relief needed. Traditional treatments do not address abnormal tear quality or composition, health of the ocular surface and lacrimal gland, or underlying disease process.
More recent treatments include newer artificial tears, topical cyclosporine eye drops, steroid eye drops, oral antibiotics, and oral nutritional supplements.
Studies continue to be done on new ways to treat dry eyes. Emerging treatments include “secretagogues,” which will stimulate secretion, “mucomimetics,” which will mimic the mucin level, and “anti-evaporatives,” which will stimulate lipid secretion and optimize barrier function. Other emerging treatments are working with hormone replacement and nutritional supplements.
