Increased tear osmolarity (salt concentration) causes eye surface inflammation

Increased tear osmolarity (salt concentration) causes eye surface inflammation

New research confirms elevated tear osmolarity (increased salt in the tears) causes dry-eye surface disease. In an article published this month in Eye & Contact Lens Luo, Li, Corrales and Pflugfelder demonstrate that ocular surface inflammation in dry eye is caused by elevated tear film osmolarity. Click HERE to read this important article.

Some had believed that there was a direct inflammatory attack on the eye surface independent of the decrease in tear production or increase in tear film evaporation that is characteristic of dry-eye disease. We now know this is untrue.

I had the opportunity to write an editorial on this paper that highlights the important treatment ramifications of this research. Click HERE to read this editorial.

New Dry Eye Treatment

Recently I have added a new device to my office. Its called the TearLab. http://www.tearlab.com/

So, I procured this item and thought to myself, of what use is such an item?

First I want to tell you that a great many patients who clearly suffer from symptoms of dry eye do not truly have dry eye. The tear lab clearly shows what patients have a lack of tears and what patients do not.

The only benefit I can see from the product would be if once measured, I could prescribe a new treatment and see a change. The change would need to be shown in a numeric fashion.

This device clearly does that. It is repeatable. I have also added a new drug to my formulary. It seems to clearly make a difference in dry eye patients. I will not go into what the drug is, but suffice it to say that it is much better than any other on the market. I hope to explore these novel treatments in greater detail in the future.

New Toyos Dry Eye Treatment Film

Unmet needs-By Kelly Nichols, O.D.

Unmet Need in Dry Eye

A recent "Industry News" article in the AOA News (http://newsfromaoa.org/2011/11/06/new-allergan-survey-shows-48-have-dry-eye-symptoms/) caught my attention and continues to intrigue me. The article reports several very interesting facts indicating unmet dry eye need including: 1) Nearly half of all U.S. adults (48%) experience one or more dry eye symptom(s) regularly; 2) 19% of women age 55 and older have experienced dry eye symptoms for more than 10 years, 3) 69% who experience one or more dry eye symptom(s) have not visited a eye care professional to treat symptoms; and 4) of those who visited an eye care professional to treat their dry eye symptoms, 19% visited more than once before finding relief, and 22% reported that they still have not found relief.

My bottom line summary of this market research indicates that there is more unmet need in dry eye disease than likely any other ocular condition. Potential patients self-treat (with or without clinician), experience significant visual and quality of life issues due to dry eye, and have not found substantial relief from the condition. Therefore, ask about symptoms, examine for dry eye, actively manage dry eye and lid disease, and hopefully make a difference.

Chromagen Eyeglass Lenses

In all my years of being an optometrist I have never given much thought to vision therapy. Many years ago at several meetings I saw a device known as a colorymeter. Kind of a funny looking device it was a plywood box with a light inside and several knobs outside.The premise was that as the patient looked into the box the doctor changed the color of the light shining on the reading material. I could not figure out how I would decide which lens to use. After many years, I once again came across the company. This time the promise was that the doctor would introduce each lens in front of the patient's eye demonstrating two choices and narrowing the possibilities from 16 to 8 to 4 to 2 to one. This lens was placed into a trial frame and the process is repeated in the other eye. Finally with the two lenses in place the patient reads with and without the glasses to see if there is any improvement. I have been amazed! Many individuals increased 50%.

For more information please look at the website:http://www.ireadbetternow.com/

3 D Movie Problems

The Wall Street Journal (5/18, Valentino-DeVries) “Digits” blog reported that, according to the American Optometric Association, an estimated three million to nine million Americans suffer from vision issues which make it difficult or even impossible for them to view 3-D television shows and movies. While some people get eyestrainfrom watching 3-D films, others become dizzy, nauseated, and experience headaches. The AOA suggests that people having difficulty with 3-D films should see their optometrist for evaluation of possible dysfunction in their binocular vision.

Dry Eye...its complicated

I have recently installed a device called a Tear Lab. I have the first unit in Houston and I intend to use it to monitor the success or failure of treatment for dry eye.

Here is a video. Not for the typical patient, but one that will educate you on the complexities of dry eye.

http://www.trbchemedica.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=100&Itemid=61