A Paradigm Shift in the Management of Dry Eye:
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- Dry eye syndrome is a common disorder of the tear film caused by decreased tear production or increased evaporation. Over the past few years various epidemiological studies have shown that the incidence of dry eye is rising across the globe.
- According to Dry Eye Workshop (DEWS, 2007) report, dry eye is accompanied by increased osmolarity that promotes the inflammation of the ocular surface.
Why Artificial Tears are not enough?
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Role of Cyclosporine in Dry Eye Management :
- As artificial tears which still form the mainstay of dry eye management cannot affect the underlying ocular surface inflammation that results in progression of disease
- Anti-inflammatory therapy is considered to be the first “Causative Therapeutic Approach” in the treatment of dry eye, since its objective is to interrupt the immune mediated inflammatory cascade of dry eye progression.
- DEWS have recommended to incorporate anti inflammatories in addition to artificial tears from level 2 dry eye patients.
- Cyclosporine is the only drug that is US FDA approved for management of moderate to severe dry eye which acts by inhibiting the immune mediated pathophysiology of the disease.
- In the recent years, incorporating Cyclosporine in the early course of dry eye has appeared to be the most potent weapon in dry eye management armamentarium that may help prevent corneal ulcers and scarring .