PURPOSE Dry eye is often characterized by increased tear evaporation due to poor tear film quality, especially of the lipid component of the tear film. Using an environmental chamber to induce environmental stress, this study compared the effect of three lubricant eye drops on various aspects of tear physiology in a crossover design (evaporation was the principal outcome measure). METHODS Thr...

The currently available methods for the diagnosis of dry eye are still far from being perfect for a variety of reasons. This review attempts to highlight the advantages and disadvantages of both traditional tests (such as Schirmer's test, break-up time and ocular surface staining) and innovative noninvasive procedures, including tear meniscus height measurement, corneal topography, functional v...

We report the natural history of keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) in two rabbit models. The first one (full KCS model) was created by closing the lacrimal gland excretory duct, and removing the nictitating membrane and harderian gland. We created the second one (lacrimal gland duct only [LGDO]-KCS model) by closing the lacrimal gland excretory duct. Although tear film osmolarity was abnormally ...

PURPOSE To investigate the effect of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplement on qualitative and quantitative subjective (ocular surface disease index [OSDI]) and objective (Schirmer's test, tear break up time [TBUT], and tear osmolarity) dry eye indices after cataract surgery. METHODS In this randomized clinical study, 61 eyes of 48 patients complaining of new onset dry eye symptoms aft...

JANUARY 2012 CATARACT & REFRACTIVE SURGERY TODAY 19 N early one in five individuals in North America has dry eye disease (DED); it may be one of the most common yet frequently undiagnosed and untreated problems seen every day by ophthalmologists.1 Less appreciated, perhaps, are the profound visual impact of DED and the progressive nature of the disease if left undiagnosed and untreated. A hallm...

PURPOSE To evaluate the effects of tear osmolarity on the repeatability of keratometry (K) measurements in patients presenting for cataract surgery. SETTING Three clinical practices. DESIGN Observational prospective nonrandomized study. METHODS Subjects were prospectively recruited based on tear osmolarity (Tearlab Osmolarity System); that is, osmolarity more than 316 mOsm/L in at least 1...

PURPOSE To determine new referents, or cutoff levels for tear film hyperosmolarity in the diagnosis of keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) and to assess their effectiveness in independent patient groups. METHOD A meta-analysis was performed on published data for tear osmolarity in samples of normal eyes and various subtypes of dry eye, and pooled estimates of the mean and standard deviations for...

PURPOSE To evaluate the efficacy of topical cyclosporine A (tCsA) for treatment of dry eye disease in patients suffering from chronic ocular complications of mustard gas (MG) injury. METHODS This interventional case series included patients with MG injury suffering from severe dry eye despite receiving artificial tears and punctal plugs. Patients were administered tCsA 0.05% twice daily for 3...