Expert opinion in the management of aqueous Deficient Dry Eye Disease (DED).

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Dry eye disease (DED) affects millions of people worldwide. There are a variety of new treatments beyond traditional therapies such as preservative free artificial tears. Here, we conduct a survey to identify the most common treatments used among specialists and assess their interest in newer therapies.

METHODS:

An international survey was distributed to dry eye researchers and expert practitioners via an internet survey. The survey data collected were analyzed with descriptive statistics.

RESULTS:

One hundred and fifteen respondents completed the survey; of these, 66 % were cornea specialists. The most commonly prescribed topical treatments included cyclosporine A (CSA) 0.05 % (71/104, 68 %), fluorometholone (FML) 0.1 % (59/99, 60 %), loteprednol etabonate 0.5 % (50/99, 51 %), and autologous serum eye drops (ASD; 48/97, 49 %). The most commonly prescribed non-topical medications included essential fatty acid supplements (72/104, 69 %), low-dose doxycycline (oral; 61/100, 61 %), and flaxseed supplements (32/96, 33 %) as well as punctal plugs (76/102, 75 %). Respondents reported treatment with topical corticosteroids for 2 to 8 weeks (46/86, 53 %), followed by less than 2 weeks (24/86, 28 %) and with topical CSA between 2 to 8 weeks (45/85, 53 %) followed by 2 to 6 months (24/85, 28 %). The top three signs and symptoms reported to indicate treatment response were, in order, fluorescein staining of the cornea, reduction in foreign body sensation, and reduction in burning sensation.

CONCLUSION:

This survey offers insight into current expert opinion in the treatment of DED. The results of this survey are hypothesis generating and will aid in the design of future clinical studies.

• Authors: Aileen Sy, Kieran S O'Brien, Margaret P Liu, Puja A Cuddapah, Nisha R Acharya, Thomas M Lietman, Jennifer Rose-Nussbaumer
• Journal: BMC ophthalmology (BMC Ophthalmol) Vol. 15 Pg. 133 (Oct 13 2015) ISSN: 1471-2415 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 26462481 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Anti-Allergic Agents
• Glucocorticoids
• Immunosuppressive Agents
• Cyclosporine
• Doxycycline
• Fluorometholone
• Loteprednol Etabonate

Topics

• Anti-Allergic Agents (administration & dosage)
• Aqueous Humor
• Cyclosporine (administration & dosage)
• Doxycycline (administration & dosage)
• Expert Testimony
• Flax
• Fluorometholone (administration & dosage)
• Glucocorticoids (administration & dosage)
• Health Care Surveys
• Humans
• Immunosuppressive Agents (administration & dosage)
• Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca (therapy)
• Lacrimal Apparatus (surgery)
• Loteprednol Etabonate (administration & dosage)
• Practice Patterns, Physicians'
• Prosthesis Implantation
• Serum
• Sjogren's Syndrome (therapy)