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Table 5. Categories of Dry Eye Treatments
Type of Therapy Treatment
Environmental/Exogenous
• Education and environmental modifications
a
(e.g., humidifier)
• Elimination of offending topical or systemic
medications
Medication
Topical medication
• Artificial tear substitutes, gels/ointments
a
• Anti-inflammatory agents (topical cyclosporine and
corticosteroids)
• Mucolytic agents
• Autologous serum tears
Systemic medication • Omega-3 fatty acids
(may increase prostate cancer risk in males)
• Tetracyclines
a
(for meibomian gland dysfunction, rosacea)
• Systemic anti-inflammatory agents
• Secretagogues
Surgical • Punctal plugs
• Permanent punctal occlusion
• Tarsorrhaphy
a
• Repair of eyelid malpositions or exposure
a
• Mucous membrane, salivary gland, amniotic
membrane transplantation
Other
• Eyelid therapy (warm compresses and eyelid hygiene)
a
• Contact lenses
• Moisture chamber spectacles
a
a
Particularly helpful for increased evaporative loss.
Data from Pflugfelder SC (Chair). Management and erapy Subcommittee of the International Dry
Eye Workshop. Management and therapy of dry eye disease: report of the Management and erapy
Subcommittee of the International Dry Eye Workshop (2007). Ocul Surf. 2007;5:163-78.
