Dry Eye Drugs

 

In the past, artificial tears were the best hope for dry eye disease patients. Artificial tears still have an important place for many patients. However, new and upcoming pharmaceutical agents are better equipping eye doctors to help patients with dry eye disease.

 

Several new drugs target the inflammation associated with dry eye disease.

 

Cyclosporine

 

Many drugs have allowed doctors to shift from providing artificial tear supplementation to treating the underlying disease processes like inflammation. Cyclosporine, in various formulations, is one drug that does this. Different formulations of cyclosporine, which are appropriate for different patients, are sold under the brand names, Restasis, Xiidra and Cequa. These medications can increase tear production and improve tear film stability and can even increase the density of the cells that are responsible for secreting the components of health tear film..

 

Corticosteroids

 

Topical steroids can help dry eye patients. They are especially useful managing acute flare-ups that require fast relief. Eye doctors will need to closely monitor patients who are on topical steroids because they can cause an unwanted increase in intra-ocular pressure, which could cause vision loss or cause cataracts.

 

Trehalose

 

Many effective artificial tears that contain Trehalose are available. Trehalose is a disaccharide with high water retention properties and is naturally found in plants an animal. It protects the cells of the cornea from the harmful effects of drying out and tear hyperosmolarity by making cell membranes stronger and preventing the destruction of proteins when there is a lack of water. Studies have shown that artificial tears that contain trehalose improve dry eye disease signs and symptoms and even suppress inflammation. Artificial tears that have both lubricating and anti-inflammatory properties include Refresh Optive Mega-3 and Thealoz Duo.