Ophthalmology and Vision Science

Dry Eye Disease – Treatment Strategies

Dry eye disease is a multifactorial condition requiring comprehensive evaluation and individualized treatment strategies. Advances in diagnostic tools including meibography, tear osmolarity testing, and inflammatory biomarker analysis allow clinicians to differentiate between aqueous-deficient and evaporative subtypes with greater precision. Therapeutic innovations range from lipid-enhanced artificial tears and preservative-free formulations to intense pulsed light therapy, thermal eyelid treatments, and microblepharoexfoliation targeting meibomian gland dysfunction. Novel anti-inflammatory agents, neurostimulation devices, and regenerative therapies using platelet-rich plasma are expanding treatment possibilities. Lifestyle modifications, digital eye strain management, and ocular surface optimization play essential roles in symptom control. Personalized approaches consider environmental factors, systemic health, and long-term adherence to support improved comfort and tear film stability. Collectively, these advancements are improving quality of life for individuals affected by this chronic and increasingly prevalent ocular surface disorder.