Week 3 - Atrifical tears, lubricants and non-pharmacological management of DED Flashcards
Management of DED level 1
- education and environmental/dietary modifications
- tear supplements
- eye lid therapy
- medication changes
Management of DED level 2
- preservative free
- pharmaceuticals (topical anti-inflammatories, tetracyclines, secretagogues)
- punctal plugs
- moisture chamber spectacles
- Lipiflow
- demodex
Management of DED level 3
- autologous serum
- oral secretagogues
- contact lenses
Management of DED level 4
- amniotic membrane
- permanent punctal occlusion
- surgery
Level 1
Education and Environmental/Dietary Modifications
- Chronic nature of the condition
- Omega 3
- Omega 6
- Environmental modifications
Chronic nature of DED
- Is there a cure?
- Only very occasionally
- The first visit where you explain the condition is critical
- Talk about managing, not curing
- You have to be clear that the patient may be managing this for the rest of their lives
- Why should they not just ignore it?
- Risk of reduced vision / infection / scarring (visual loss)
Omega 3 and 6
- Omega 3 (vegetables, nuts, cereals, poultry)
- Omega 6 (fish such as salmon, mackerel, tuna)
- Diet or supplements?
- Research has shown mixed results and the DEWS II report from 2017 reached no firm conclusion
- “a broad range of systemic anti-inflammatory effects, including inhibiting the production of several key pro-inflammatory cytokines”
- Contra-indications, including liver disease, atrial fibrillation and bleeding disorders; in these cases, medical advice should be sought prior to commencing supplementation
Environmental Modifications
What can the patient change?
* Air conditioning/cigarette smoke
* Wrap around glasses/sunglasses
* Lowering VDU monitor height
* Regular breaks from VDU
* Increase humidity in the home
* Blinking (normally 15-20 per minute)
Level 1
Tear Supplements
- Used to maintain ocular surface hydration and to replace components of the tears, which may be absent or reduced
- Generally have a short retention time on the ocular surface and require regular use
- None of these treatments have been shown to be curative, but are used with the aim of improving patient symptoms
- (better to say “management” to patients, than “treatment”?)
Level 1
Tear Supplements First Line
Carbomer 980
Hypromellose
Polyvinyl Alcohol
Carbomer 980
- Common first line option on NHS formularies
- Research has shown it can be useful for increasing tear film thickness, protecting against desiccation and promoting tear retention at the ocular surface
- There does not appear to be any substantial difference in effectiveness among the different formulations and products (commonly 0.2%)
Hypromellose
- Still on many formularies
- Research shows it is safe and effective lubricant for mild to moderate DED
- Used in combination with lots of other ingredients
- Concentration can range from 0.2-0.8%
Polyvinyl Alcohol
- Not on every formulary
- Definitely on Lothian
- Viscosity enhancing agent (as are the majority of dry eye preparations)
Level 1
Tear Supplements Second Line
Carmellose sodium
Sodium Hyaluronate
HP-Guar
Carmellose sodium
aka carboxymethylcellulose (CMC)
• Commonly used viscosity enhancing agent
• “Can bind to corneal epi cells and promote epithelial cell healing”
• Research shows success in managing mild to moderate DED