Research Projects In Dry Eye Syndrome

Dry eye is one of the most common disorders encountered in ophthalmological practice. Its symptoms cause considerable discomfort and substantially reduce the patient's quality of life. As it is a complex and multifactorial condition, research investigating dry eye is a matter of great interest all over the world. In this book, the wide range of current basic and clinical research in dry eye and correlated ocular surface diseases is presented by scientists from Germany, Austria and the USA. These renowned authors provide clear and extensive descriptions of their projects, enabling scientists and clinical ophthalmologists to quickly bring themselves up to date with cutting edge research in this field. This overview of research into the pathogenesis and clinical treatment of dry eye is a must for all ophthalmologists dealing with this syndrome and looking to increase their knowledge base.

During the past several decades, a significant international research effort has been directed towards understanding the composition and regulation of the preocular tear film. This effort has been motivated by the recognition that the tear film plays a critical role in maintaining corneal and conjunctival integrity, protecting against microbial challenge and preserving visual acuity. In addition, research has been stimulated by the knowledge that alteration or deficiency of the tear film, which occurs in numerous individuals throughout the world, may lead to desiccation of the ocular surface, ulceration and perforation of the cornea, an increased incidence of infectious disease, and potentionally pronounced visual disability and blindness.

Dry eye syndrome is one of the most common types of ocular surface disorders that significantly worsen the quality of life of tens of millions of people worldwide.In the last decades, researchers worldwide investigated the composition and regulatory mechanisms of the preocular tear film to better understand dry eye syndrome. The tear film, in fact, plays a critical role in maintaining corneal and conjunctival integrity, protecting the eyes against infections, and preserving visual acuity. Recent scientific discoveries helped us gain a more and more accurate understanding of the structure and functioning of the tear film and how disorders in the tear film relate to dry eye syndrome. Today, ophthalmologists benefit from sophisticated diagnostic techniques, and they have at their disposal a wide range of effective therapeutic options to manage dry eye syndrome. This book illustrates the most recent research results in the diagnosis and treatment of dry eye syndrome, and it is of interest to the broad audience that comprises ophthalmologists, researchers, and students.

This text presents cutting-edge topics on and the diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for tear film abnormities, including dry eye disease and Meibomian gland dysfunction. A new management algorithm for Meibomian gland dysfunction, therapeutic eye drops and intense pulsed lasers for dry eye disease, and topical and systemic agents for neuropathic ocular pain are proposed in this issue.

This handbook is a concise, easy-to-read, practical guide that conveys the core knowledge necessary to diagnose, classify, grade, and manage dry eye disease effectively and efficiently. A series of succinct, informative chapters cover the following key topics: definition and classification, epidemiology, office-based screening and diagnostics, artificial tears, medical management, surgical management, and future directions. Current guidelines, published studies, and the personal experience of internationally recognized dry eye experts are distilled into practical tips that will be of value during daily clinical routine. Highlighted boxes are included to emphasize the most important points or clinical pearls, and tables and flow charts will further assist the eye care practitioner in using the book as a quick reference. The closing chapter presents case examples that build upon the instruction provided earlier in the book by illustrating the optimal approach to diverse scenarios that may be encountered in the clinic.

A number of structures contribute to tear production and maintenance, including the tear system, the lids and the orbit. The ocular surface itself is also a part of the system, including the cornea and conjunctiva. This makes for a very complex situation that can easily lead to changes in tear film and the ocular surface that are called "dry eye." Here a team of experts carefully examine how and when surgery is indicated, addressing normal tear film, normal anatomy (including immunological interactions), classification and diagnosis, anti-inflammatory and immnunosup-pressive concepts, correction and drainage techniques, surgery of the conjunctiva and cornea, keratoprosthesis surgery, botulism toxin injections, mucous membrane grafting, and salivary gland transplantation along with other treatments. The collection closed with a set of scientific studies. The color and monochrome clinical photographs and line illustrations are especially well-chosen and informative.

During the past decade a significant international research effort has been directed towards understanding the composition and regulation of the preocular tear film. This effort has been motivated by the recognition that the tear film plays an essential role in maintaining corneal and conjunctival integrity, protecting against microbial challenge and preserving visual acuity. In addition, research has been stimulated by the knowledge that alteration or deficiency of the tear film, which occurs in countless individuals throughout the world, may lead to desiccation of the ocular surface, ulceration and perforation of the cornea, an increased incidence of infectious disease, and potentially, pronounced visual disability and blindness. 7 To promote further progress in this field of vision research, the International Conference on the Lacrimal Gland, Tear Film and Dry Eye Syndromes: Basic Science and Clinical Relevance was held in the Southampton Princess Resort in Bermuda from November 14 to 17, 1992. This meeting was designed to assess critically the current knowledge and 'state of the art' research on the structure and function of lacrimal tissue and tears in both health and disease. The goal of this conference was to provide an international exchange of information that would be of value to basic scientists involved in eye research, to physicians in the ophthalmological community, and to pharmaceutical companies with an interest in the treatment of lacrimal gland, tear film or ocular surface disorders (e. g. Sjogren's syndrome).

During the past two decades, a significant international research effort has been di rected toward understanding the composition and regulation of the preocular tear film. This effort has been motivated by the recognition that the tear film plays an essential role in maintaining corneal and conjunctival integrity, protecting against microbial challenge, and preserving visual acuity. In addition, research has been stimulated by the knowledge that alteration or deficiency of the tear film, which occurs in countless individuals throughout the world, may lead to desiccation of the ocular surface, ulceration and perfo ration of the cornea, an increased incidence of infectious disease, and, potentially, pro nounced visual disability and blindness. To promote further progress in this field of vision research, the Second International Conference on the Lacrimal Gland, Tear Film and Dry Eye Syndromes: Basic Science and Clinical Relevance was held at the Southampton Princess Resort in Bermuda November 16-19, 1996. This conference was organized and directed by David A. Sullivan, Ph. D. , codirected by Darlene A. Dartt, Ph. D. , and Michele A. Meneray, Ph. D. , and sponsored by the Schepens Eye Research Institute (Boston, MA), an affiliate of Harvard Medical School. The meeting was designed to assess critically the current knowledge and "state of the art" research on the structure and function of lacrimal tissue, tears, and the ocular sur face in both health and disease.