NEI Unveils New Advances in Dry Eye Disease Treatment

In a healthy eye, the regular production of tears provides the lubrication necessary to maintain clear vision, prevent infection, and keep the eye smooth and clear of any foreign bodies. When the eyes do not produce enough tears, the resulting discomfort is noticeable. This condition is known as dry eye disease. Although it often affects older individuals, it can impact people of all ages as a result of certain medical conditions, medications, and environmental factors.

Dry eye is also more prevalent among women, currently impacting an estimated 1.68 million men and 3.2 million women aged 50 or older in the United States. However, good news may be quickly approaching for individuals living with this uncomfortable condition.

The majority of existing treatments for dry eye disease only address its symptoms. By prescribing eye drops that increase tear production or surgically blocking the eyes’ tear ducts, ophthalmologists can lessen the discomfort of dry eye. However, a number of new treatments recently described in a press release from the National Eye Institute seek to address the cause of the disease.

Currently in the testing phases, these innovative new treatments include Lacritin, which provides a synthetic replacement to supplement the protein responsible for stimulating basal tear production. In addition, researchers at Stanford University recently found success using electrical currents to stimulate varying glands near the eye. This led to the production of tears similar to those produced naturally.

In the United States, scientists at Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences recently developed a therapy to stimulate the corneal nerve, while the Icahn School of Medicine’s Dry Eye Assessment and Management Study (DREAM) team recently launched the world’s first expansive investigation into the efficacy of omega-3 supplements in treating dry eye disease.

William De La Peña

Dr. William De La Peña’s work as an internationally recognized eye surgeon includes service as the medical director and CEO of the De La Peña Eye Clinic.

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