Current and Future Pharmacological Therapies for the Management of Dry Eye

Eye Contact Lens. 2020 Mar:46 Suppl 2:S64-S69. doi: 10.1097/ICL.0000000000000666.

Abstract

Dry eye disease (DED) is among the most common reasons for visiting eye care practitioners and represents a substantial health and cost burden. Disease prevalence ranges from 5% to 33% and is increasing in the younger population. The core mechanism of DED involves a vicious cycle where hyperosmolarity leads to an inflammatory cascade resulting in ocular surface damage. No cure is available for DED, and patients require ongoing disease management. Over-the-counter medications can provide temporary symptom relief but do not tackle the inflammatory pathophysiology of DED. A number of medications with anti-inflammatory activity are available, but there is a need for development of pharmacotherapies with novel delivery methods and targets to widen the variety of treatment options. This review discusses current anti-inflammatory pharmacotherapies approved in the United States and Europe for DED and highlights novel drugs that have been recently approved or are in development.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Disease Management*
  • Dry Eye Syndromes / drug therapy*
  • Humans

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents