Basic Science

The Pros and Cons of Dry-Eye Technologies

A look at the advantages and disadvantages of time-honored methods as well as new techniques and devices.
Posted Wed, 01/04/2012 - 10:34am
Author(s): 
Mark Abelson

As we enter the dawn of dry-eye season and close the chapter on another year, it’s an appropriate time to reflect on the current state of dry-eye diagnosis and treatment as well as the prospects for therapeutic development in the coming year and beyond. In August, we ran through a list of dry-eye diagnostic tests, and discussed the critical value of a thorough patient history and a comprehensive discussion between doctor and patient about the patient’s ocular health.

Mucins: Foundation of A Good Tear Film

What we know about mucins and their role in protecting the eye from ocular surface disease.
Posted Mon, 11/28/2011 - 2:01pm
Author(s): 
Mark Abelson
Author(s): 
James McLaughlin

How do you describe a good tear film? Put simply, a good tear film is sticky on the bottom, juicy in the middle and greasy on top. While this may be an oversimplification, it’s also a good way to start a conversation about mucins—a vital component of a healthy ocular surface. Lipid meibum supplies the greasy top surface that reduces aqueous evaporation, lacrimal glands produce the tears that compose the aqueous layer, and the sticky mucins create an intimate layer of protection at the corneal and conjunctival surfaces.

In the Blink of an Eye

Although not often researched, studying blinks can serve as an important diagnostic tool for eye care practitioners.
Posted Thu, 10/27/2011 - 1:06pm
Author(s): 
Mark Abelson
Author(s): 
Caroline Tobey

Picture driving down the freeway in your Mercedes Benz S-600 after a long day of treating patients.1 You didn’t get enough sleep last night and you feel fatigue start to set in. Your eyes water, you blink faster, your head starts to nod… Beep, beep, beep! A set of alarms start ringing and you’re jolted back to reality—you almost fell asleep at the wheel. Now, how did your car know this?

Which current drugs in the Dry Eye development pipeline have the greatest chance for success?

Is there a Mechanism of Action that stands out from the rest?

Images from the Inaugural Dry Eye Summit 2010

The 2010 Dry Eye Summit covered all aspects of dry eye drug development. The 2010 Dry Eye Summit was a unique one-day learning event that brought together the world’s thought leaders indry eye drug development. All will provide practical, usable advice on how to maximize your return on your dry eye drug development investment.

Will there ever be a Dry Eye wonder drug?

Or is the better approach to Dry Eye drug development reliant upon the identification of unique sub-populations of Dry Eye sufferers?

How will devices play a part in the treatment of Dry Eye?

Right now, there are multiple devices in today’s pipeline. Is this just a blip in the dry eye development continuum, or are these devices here to stay?