Disease Focus

What Is Dry Eye Disease?

Dry eye disease is a chronic, painful condition that prevents patients from producing a normal quantity and/or quality of tears to lubricate the eye. Consequently, patients often suffer from a gritty feeling in the eyes, as well as burning, stinging, blurred vision or photophobia. Beyond physical discomfort, dry eye disease can cause lost functionality and productivity by impairing individuals’ ability to read, use a computer, perform close work — even watch television.

Furthermore, this disease, which currently affects more than 3.2 million people in the U.S., can cause permanent damage to patients’ ocular surfaces and lacrimal glands and, ultimately, decreased vision. Fewer than 20 percent of dry eye patients are currently treated with a therapeutic drug — forcing them to suffer the uncomfortable symptoms.

Artificial Tears tears remain the first line of treatment for dry eye symptoms, they don’t treat the underlying pathology. Therefore, most patients are dissatisfied with the short duration of action and inconvenience associated with artificial tear use.