Peer Reviewed
Feature Article Ophthalmology

High and dry: an update on dry eye syndrome

Minas T Coroneo
Abstract

Artificial tears are the usual first-line therapy in dry eye syndrome. Topical cyclosporin is a treatment for more severe disease and confidence in its use has grown, although it is not a TGA approved medication. Other interventions for this multifactorial condition are also discussed.

Key Points

    Dry eye syndrome (DES) is a prevalent multifactorial condition, the significance of which is frequently underestimated. Dry eye has been defined as: ‘a multifactorial disease of the tears and ocular surface that results in symptoms of discomfort, visual disturbance and tear film instability with potential damage to the ocular surface. It is accompanied by increased osmolarity of the tear film and inflammation of the ocular surface.’

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