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Cover Story
DR Y E YE
“ likely produce new ways
Ongoing research will
to treat symptoms
and prevent
meibomian glands from
“
being blocked.
dry eye can also create a great deal of Thanks to improved technology and iTEAR100 (Olympic Ophthalmics) is
emotional distress for the sufferer. fitting guidelines, scleral contact an external nasal nerve stimulator that
lenses are making a comeback as a was recently approved by the FDA.
Fortunately, dry eye symptoms can treatment for DED, says Dr. Ngo. A varenicline nasal spray (Oyster Point
often be successfully treated. For MGD, “These hard contact lenses sit over the Pharmaceuticals) is also expected
lipid-based artificial tears prevent entire cornea, like a bowl filled with soon.
evaporation and warm compresses saline that holds a cushion of water
help glands secrete oil. “Avoid over the eyes.” As to the future, “we’ll see more
facecloths which don’t retain heat,” innovations for warming and massaging
says Dr. Ngo. “Medicated, warming Recent technological advances include eyelids on the device side,” says Dr.
facemasks can be microwaved, and intense pulsed light (IPL) and Ngo. “And ongoing research will likely
eyedrops increase tear volume on the radio-frequency, which warm the produce new ways to treat symptoms
ocular surface.” meibomian glands and allows them
to release tears. Such treatments are and prevent meibomian glands from
Artificial tears have improved greatly usually done in a doctor’s office and being blocked.”
over the years, he adds. Earlier their effects last several months.
Amniotic eye drops could eventually
versions contained preservatives, Nasolacrimal stimulation, another help with severe ocular surface
which damage the ocular surface, but recent treatment, operates on a
most are now preservative-free. Many different mechanism for treating disease, he adds. Researchers are
eye drops contain hyaluronic acid, dry eye than most therapies. “Most also tackling the fundamental
which promotes healing of the ocular first-line therapies supplement the mechanism underlying DED: drops
surface and helps retain water. tear film, warming the meibomian being developed in Japan will allow
glands, or reducing inflammation people to secrete more tears. And
The underlying cause of DED may to maintain hydration at the ocular research is underway to reduce
be inflammation, in which case, an surface,” says Dr. Ngo. “Nasolacrimal oxidative stress on the eye, which
anti-inflammatory for the ocular stimulation works by stimulating the damages the ocular surface and plays
surface may be prescribed. The proper nasal nerve and could complement an important role in DED.
treatment, especially for the elderly, is those therapies well.”
often a mix of medication to improve The millennia-long marathon to treat
tear output, plus an anti-inflammatory. Not yet available in Canada, the dry eye disease effectively continues.
/ www.ENVISIONMAGAZINE.ca / MAY - JUNE 2021 / 7