Eyeworld

FEB 2012

EyeWorld is the official news magazine of the American Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgery.

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DRY EYE IS A DISEASE WHICH MAY PROGRESS AND IMPACT PATIENTS' LIVES Dry Eye is a multifactorial disease that may result in discomfort, visual disturbance, and tear film changes. Inflammation, hormonal imbalance, age, and environmental triggers all play a role.1,2 This changes tear quantity These factors set in motion a self-perpetuating series of events that affect the ocular surface, lacrimal glands, meibomian glands, and the neural network.1,3-5 and quality, which can damage the corneal epithelium, the tissue protected by the tear film, resulting in:5 THE HEALTHY TEAR FILM Composed of mucin, aqueous, and lipid components, the healthy tear film is important to the eye's normal functioning. It optimizes visual refraction, protects the ocular surface, and facilitates tear spreading.1 Increasing symptoms As the disease alters the tear film and the ocular surface, patients can experience grittiness, foreign body sensation, burning, and itching.1,6 Increasing visual alterations Small changes— such as reduced viscosity or thickness—may significantly impact vision quality, primarily contrast sensitivity.1,7,8 These changes to the tear film and corneal irregularity may be responsible for blurred and fluctuating vision.1 Impact on daily activities These visual alterations and symptoms can significantly increase difficulty with work, night driving, computer use, reading, and contact lens wear.2,6 can become challenging as the eyes constantly strain to correct tear film changes.6,7 Working on a computer Driving at night can become difficult due to fluctuating vision, reduced contrast sensitivity, and increased glare.8 INITIATE THE DRY EYE DISCUSSION WITH YOUR NEXT PATIENT THE DRY EYE TEAR FILM The effects of Dry Eye on the tear film can result in symptoms, ocular surface damage, and visual disturbances, potentially impacting a range of daily activities.1,2,6 Many patients may not mention their symptoms to an eye care professional because they are unaware they may be consequences of Dry Eye disease. Visit FocusOnDryEye.com to access important resources. References: 1. Pflugfelder SC, Beuerman RW, Stern ME, eds. Dry Eye and Ocular Surface Disorders. New York, NY: Marcel Dekker, Inc. 2004. 2. 2007 Report of the International Dry Eye WorkShop (DEWS). Ocul Surf. 2007;5:67-204. 3. Stern ME, Beuerman RW, Fox RI, Gao J, Mircheff AK, Pflugfelder SC. The pathology of dry eye: the interaction between the ocular surface and lacrimal glands. Cornea.1998;17:584-589. 4. Nelson JD, Helms H, Fiscella R, Southwell Y, Hirsch JD. A new look at dry eye disease and its treatment. Adv Ther. 2000;17:84-93. 5. Baudouin C. The pathology of dry eye. Surv Ophthalmol. 2001;45(suppl 2):S211-S220. 6. Facts about dry eye. National Eye Institute Web site. http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/dryeye/dryeye.asp. Accessed December 9, 2010. 7. Rolando M, Iester M, Macri A, Calabria G. Low spatial-contrast sensitivity in dry eyes. Cornea. 1998;17:376-379. 8. Miljanovic B, Dana R, Sullivan DA, Schaumberg DA. Impact of dry eye syndrome on vision-related quality of life. Am J Ophthalmol. 2007;143:409-415.

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