Dry Eye Treatment by Omega Fatty Acids in Combination with Artificial Tears

Managing dry eye has become an important part of postoperative refractive surgery patient management, as dry eye symptoms are among the most frequent complaints of patients who have undergone excimer laser surgery.

The most common treatment for dry eye is the use of artificial tears, which provides only instant and incomplete symptom relief. Use of active supplementary compounds such as the omega fatty acids is a recent option for dry eye treatment. Omegas are essential fatty acids, which are known to be deficient in our daily diets.

Supplementation of omegas works in multiple ways to relieve and treat the symptoms of dry eye. It improves the quality of meibomian gland secretion and stimulates aqueous tear secretion by repairing tear secretion in dysfunctional lacrimal glands and decreasing lacrimal gland apoptosis. Omegas also suppress inflammation in blepharitis and meibomitis, as seen in inflammation of joints in rheumatoid arthritis and rosacea.

Intake of omegas, together with artificial tears, will potentially be a successful dry eye treatment for maximizing effectiveness of the existing system. Further clinical trials are indicated to define the advisability of omegas intake and quantify the recommended dosages for this compound’s more widespread use.

For more information:

* Noel A. Alpins, MD, can be reached at 7 Chesterville Road, Cheltenham, Victoria 3192 Australia; 61-3-9584-6122; fax: 61-3-9585-0995; e-mail: alpins@newvisionclinics.com.au.

* David R. Hardten, MD, can be reached at Minnesota Eye Consultants, 710 E. 24th St., Suite 106, Minneapolis, MN 55404, U.S.A.; 612-813-3600; fax: 612-813-3658; e-mail: drhardten@mneye.com.

* Thomas F. Neuhann, MD, can be reached at Helene-Weber-Allee 19, Munich 80637, Germany; 49-89-159-4040; fax: 49-89-159-40555; e-mail: prof@neuhann.de.

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Progesterone can Effectively Treat Dry Eye Syndrome

A topical cream containing 15% progesterone can effectively treat dry eye syndrome, according to a study.

"The data suggest the anti-inflammatory properties of progesterone may be useful for dry eye treatments," said Charles G. Connor, PhD, OD, in a poster presentation here at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology meeting.

Dr. Connor evaluated tear breakup time, Schirmer's test results and IOP and administered the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire to 30 patients to measure the effectiveness of the topical progesterone treatment. He found that tear breakup time significantly improved from 5.96 ± 2.18 seconds at baseline to 8 ± 3.5 seconds after 3 weeks of treatment with the cream. Schirmer's test results also improved after treatment, although not significantly, from 11.9 ± 6.87 mm at baseline to 14.175 ± 8.41 mm.

There was no change in IOP throughout the 3-week treatment period, and the OSDI score reflected symptomatic improvement of 20%, going from 28 to 22, and this was significant at the P = .05 level,Dr. Connor said.

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Tranquileyes Eye Hydrating System: New Hope for Dry Eye Patients

A new study says that dry-eye patients now can get better relief by Tranquileyes Eye Hydrating System. Over 60 million Americans suffer from potentially debilitating dry-eye symptoms and the numbers are growing.

Tranquileyes goggles naturally restore moisture by creating heat and increasing humidity around the eye, which helps stimulate tear production and reduce the evaporation of natural tears. Thermoeyes gel pad inserts boost the intensity and duration of the tranquileyes moist heat treatment. The extra heat helps open the meibomian glands which secrete the oily lipid layer of the tear film, slowing evaporation of natural tears.

In a recent study over 14 dry-eye patients Robert Gerowitz, OD, FOAA, who has been treating dry-eye patients for more than 25 years, compared the effectiveness of traditional warm compresses to Thermoeyes heat packs used with the Tranquileyes goggles.

The results showed 1) The Thermoeyes system improves Tear Break-up Time by 57% over standard warm compress, 2) The Thermoeyes system was proven up to 223% more effective than warm compresses for managing Meibomian Gland Dysfunction, 3) All patient symptoms decreased or were all together alleviated.

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Tranquileyes Eye Hydrating System

Dr. Robert Latkany, one of the country's leading dry-eye experts and author of the new book The Dry Eye Remedy: The Complete Guide to Restoring the Health and Beauty of Your Eyes, has tested and now recommends tranquileyes Eye Hydrating System for his patients.

Tranquileyes goggles naturally restore moisture by creating heat and increasing humidity around the eye, which helps stimulate tear production and reduce the evaporation of natural tears.

Now, tranquileyes is introducing a microwavable version of their thermoeyes gel pad inserts to boost the intensity and duration of the tranquileyes moist heat treatment. Place the gel pads in a cup of water and heat in the microwave. Then insert the gel pads into the goggles and you've turned up the volume on your dry-eye relief! The extra heat helps open the meibomian glands which secrete the oily lipid layer of the tear film, slowing evaporation of natural tears. Users will experience noticeable relief in just 10 minutes of use.

Tranquileyes goggles are hypoallergenic and made with FDA approved materials. They feature a beautifully sculpted eye cover, made from medical grade, flexible material. Fabric lined visco-elastic foam especially designed to form to the face, cushions the eye cover, providing increased comfort while controlling the temperature and humidity within the eye environment. A uniquely designed adjustable comfort wrap holds the eye covers in place and the stretch fabric ensures no pinching, even with extended wear.

Source: Eye Eco

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Lissamine green Shows Promise In Dry Eye Detection

Dry eye syndrome is one of the most common eye ailments. According to various estimates, it affects 10 percent to 30 percent of the world's population, including 10 million to 14 million Americans — mostly older women. Symptoms include eyes that burn or sting, blurred vision, frequent blinking, light sensitivity or a sandy or gritty feeling like something is in the eye.

Lissamine green, an eye-drop stain is used by ophthalmologists to detect damaged cells on the eye's surface, flagging them green under special lighting.

"What this research showed is that the degree and pattern of staining was a good, objective indicator of the severity of the tear deficiency," said Dr. James McCulley, chairman of ophthalmology at UT Southwestern and one of the world's leading experts on dry eyes.

In a study by Dr. McCulley and his colleagues found that the severity of the dry eye condition in patients correlates with where the stain patterns show up. Those basic patterns are:

* The least-severe condition is indicated by stains limited to the whites of the eyes between the lids toward the nose. This so-called nasal staining doesn't necessarily predict dry eye: it might be caused by environmental factors, such as pollution.

* The second level appears as stains in the white of the eye between the lids, but toward the ear. "That is fairly diagnostic of a tear deficiency," Dr. McCulley said.

* The third and most severe level occurs when the stain also appears on the cornea.

"That's when things really get serious," said Dr. McCulley, the study's senior author. "If the dry eye is significantly affecting the cornea, it deteriorates vision and adds a major risk factor for a person developing a bad infection."

"When the surface is healthy, we're protected against the vast majority of bacteria. But if there's a compromise of the surface, then bacteria can invade," said Dr. McCulley, who said the investigation was inspired by his many years observing staining patterns in the patients he treated.

Researchers examined the stain patterns in 22 patients with varying degrees of dry eyes and 11 patients without ocular disease, who served as control subjects. The research not only revealed the progressive pattern, but also underscored the value of using lissamine green stain over the more commonly used fluorescein stain, which doesn't easily identify damage until it is more progressed.

"If an ophthalmologist uses the most commonly used stain, which is fluorescein, they're going to miss the first two stages of the development of dry eye and consequently miss a lot of diagnoses," said Dr. McCulley, director of the Theodore and Mary Beasley Laboratory for Ocular Surface Research and the Jean H. & John T. Walter Jr. Center for Research in Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

"The more severe stage is not only more problematic in affecting vision, but it is more difficult to treat and reverse," Dr. McCulley said. "So it's very important to diagnose at the mild stages because it can become a self perpetuating disease if not effectively treated."

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