A characteristic of dry eye disease (DED) is the presence of inflammation, a significant driving factor of the vicious circle that is DED. TFOS second dry eye workshop (TFOS DEWS II) aptly described this process as being initiated by evaporative water loss leading to hyperosmolar tissue damage. This
Optometrists are becoming increasingly aware of the challenges facing dry eye patients. Compliance with home treatments for dry eye can be variable and patient adherence to treatment instructions tend to diminish following an enthusiastic start. The recent TFOS DEWS II report provides excellent curr
It’s become clear, as our knowledge has evolved, that dry eye management, if performed thoroughly, cannot be squeezed into a normal examination as part of a standard eye examination. You wouldn’t expect to perform a full glaucoma work-up within a standard eye examination and neither should you expec
Deficiency in tear film quality and quantity are often considered key defining characteristics of dry eye disease (DED). The complex, dynamic multi-component structure, which comprises an underlying aqueous-mucous layer and a superficial lipid layer, synergistically maintains ocular surface homeosta
The modern workplace is a hostile environment for a dry eye sufferer. Computer use decreases blink frequency and completeness, leading to lipid layer breakdown and increased aqueous tear evaporation, while air-conditioned office environments frequently further aggravate the disrupted tear film.
Over the year there’s been a strong team of individuals working under the Ocular Surface Laboratory (OSL) banner. We look at some of what's been happening.
Adverse environmental conditions, including high airflow velocity and low relative humidity, are recognised to exacerbate dry eye signs and symptoms. Topical artificial tear supplements are among the most commonly used therapies for dry eye disease, although the protective effects of eye drop applic
Tear film stability measurement is an integral component of the assessment of dry eye disease. Although ocular instillation of sodium fluorescein via impregnated strips is conventionally used to visualise tear film breakup, it is also recognised to destabilise the tear film, reducing stability measu
Asian ethnicity is recognised to be a significant risk factor for the development of dry eye disease, with a higher prevalence and severity of dry eye signs and symptoms consistently reported in Asian populations relative to Caucasian cohorts in the literature. However, the effects of environmental
In recent decades, the significant increase in digital screen use, both at home and at work, has been accompanied by a growing prevalence of dry eye disease worldwide. The high visual and cognitive load associated with digital screen use, along with sustained visual attention, can result in a reduct
Blepharitis is a common ophthalmic condition characterised by chronic eyelid inflammation and associated symptoms of ocular irritation and dry eye. It can have a profound impact on quality of life. The management of blepharitis involves both the prevention and treatment of intermittent episodes of i
Eye cosmetics are widely used by mostly female populations of all age groups globally for religious, cultural and cosmetic purposes. The literature surrounding the effects of eye cosmetics on tear film quality and dry eye disease was assessed by a recent review1 conducted by University of Auckland O
