Tolerability of Current Treatments for Dry Eye Disease: A Review of Approved and Investigational Therapies

Abstract

Preeya K Gupta,1,2 Rolando Toyos,3 John D Sheppard,4 Melissa Toyos,3 Francis S Mah,5 Brian Bird,6 Pamela E Theriot,7 Don Higgins8 1Triangle Eye Consultants, Raleigh, NC, USA; 2Department of Ophthalmology, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA; 3Toyos Clinic, Nashville, TN, USA; 4Virginia Eye Consultants, Norfolk, VA, USA; 5Scripps Clinic, La Jolla, CA, USA; 6Department of Ophthalmology, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, USA; 7Lusk Eye Specialists, Shreveport, LA, USA; 8Dry Eye Treatment Center of Connecticut, Plainville, CT, USACorrespondence: John D Sheppard, Virginia Eye Consultants, 241 Corporate Blvd, Norfolk, VA, USA, Tel [phone], Fax [phone], Email [email protected]: Dry eye disease (DED) is a common, multifactorial ocular disease impacting 5% to 20% of people in Western countries and 45% to 70% in Asian countries. Despite the prevalence of DED and the number of treatment approaches available, signs and symptoms of the disease continue to limit the quality of life for many patients. Standard over-the-counter treatment approaches and behavior/environmental modifications may help some cases but more persistent forms often require pharmacological interventions. Approved and investigational pharmaceutical approaches attempt to treat the signs and symptoms of DED in different ways and tend to have varying tolerability among patients. While several pharmacological approaches are the standard for persistent and severe disease, mechanical options provide alternate treatment modalities that attempt to balance efficacy and comfort. Newer approaches target the causes of DED, utilizing novel delivery methods to minimize irritation and adverse events. Here, we review approved and investigational approaches to treating DED and compare patient tolerability.Keywords: dry eye disease, tolerability, safety, pharmaceutical interventions, mechanical interventions

Keywords

• dry eye disease
• tolerability
• safety
• pharmaceutical interventions
• mechanical interventions