14
Management
Table 6. Treatment Recommendations for Dry Eye Syndrome
by Disease Severity Level
Mild Education and environmental modifications
Elimination of offending topical or systemic medications
Aqueous enhancement using artificial tear substitutes, gels/ointments
Eyelid therapy (warm compresses and eyelid scrubs)
Treatment of contributing ocular factors such as blepharitis or
meibomianitis (See Blepharitis PPP)
Correction of eyelid abnormalities
Moderate In addition to above treatments:
Anti-inflammatory agents (topical cyclosporine and corticosteroids)
Systemic omega-3 fatty acids supplements
Punctal plugs
Spectacle side shields and moisture chambers
Severe In addition to above treatments:
Systemic cholinergic agonists
Systemic anti-inflammatory agents
Mucolytic agents
Autologous serum tears
Contact lenses
Permanent punctal occlusion
Tarsorrhaphy
Adapted with permission 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;5:174.
