PURPOSE To evaluate the ability of Systane(®) Balance (SYSB) administered four times per day for 4 weeks to increase noninvasive tear film break-up time (NITFBUT) over baseline compared with a saline (SAL) control in patients with lipid-deficient dry eye (DE). PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients aged ≥18 years with DE and evidence of meibomian gland dysfunction (ie, abnormal gland expression and mi...

Aim—To demonstrate the eYcacy of a petrolatum based calcium ointment applied to the lower lid skin in the management of dry eye. Methods—In a controlled double masked study, the eVects of water free petrolatum ointment containing calcium carbonate (10% w/w) on tear functional factors and ocular surface vital staining in dry eye patients were observed. Petrolatum without calcium carbonate served...

BACKGROUND Video display terminal (VDT)-associated dry eye (DE) patients are the rising group worldwide, and moisture goggles are the preferable treatment since they are capable of improving tear film stability and DE discomfort. The current study aims to evaluate the short-term efficacy and safety of the developed warming moist chamber goggles (WMCGs) for VDT-associated DE patients. METHODS ...

The tear film is a complex mixture of secreted fluid, ions, proteins, glycoproteins, and lipids that lubricates and protects the ocular surface. Recently, several antimicrobial peptides have been described in the tear fluid. In this study, we describe the presence of the large secreted glycoprotein gp340 in the tear film. Western blot analysis showed that gp340 is abundant in secreted tears and...

Dry eye disease (DED) is a condition of the ocular surface characterized by tear film abnormalities and symptoms; inflammation principal pathogenesis. Recently, matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) point-of-care immunoassay (InflammaDry) has become widely used as an ancillary diagnostic tool in routine clinical settings. This paper reviews role MMP-9 DED, relationships MMP-9-positivity on Inflamm...

BACKGROUND To examine the associations between vision-targeted health-related quality of life (VT-HRQ) and ocular surface parameters in patients with Sjögren's syndrome, a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by dry eye and dry mouth. METHODS Forty-two patients fulfilling European / American diagnostic criteria for Sjögren's syndrome underwent Schirmer testing without anesthesia, ocular ...

PURPOSE To determine whether various novel amphipathic polymers could be used to stabilize the tear film of the rat. The rheologic properties of these polymers were examined to investigate whether particular structural or physical characteristics improve the stability of the tear film. METHODS Amphipathic polymers or particular phospholipids were mixed with a test solution of tears and saline...

PURPOSE ω-3 and ω-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids modulate inflammatory processes throughout the body through distinct classes of lipid mediators that possess both proinflammatory and proresolving properties. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to explore the relationship between lipid profiles in human tears and dry eye (DE) symptoms and signs. METHODS Forty-one patients with normal ...

The development of an animal model for herpes simplex virus (HSV) reactivation is of great importance in studying HSV latency, reactivation, recurrence, and chemotherapy. Epinephrine iontophoresis to the cornea can induce HSV type 1 (HSV-1) ocular shedding from latently infected rabbits. In the present experiment, adrenergic induction of HSV-1 was enhanced by iontophoresis of 6-hydroxydopamine ...