Definition

Chronic Dry Eye—also known as Dry Eye Disease or keratoconjunctivitis sicca—is a condition caused by many factors that can result in inflammation of the eye and the tear-producing glands. One type of Chronic Dry Eye is caused by inflammation, which can decrease the eye's natural ability to produce normal tears that protect the surface of the eye and keep it moist and lubricated.

Neural Feedback Loop

Many aspects of tear production, tear composition, and the ocular surface appear to be interconnected by a neural feedback loop. RESTASIS® may help your patients with decreased tear production caused by inflammation due to Chronic Dry Eye.

Contributors to the Condition

There are believed to be two key contributors to the neural feedback loop that underlie the pathophysiology of Chronic Dry Eye.1

  • Hyperosmolarity
    • A condition that can be caused by low tear flow or tear evaporation
    • This stimulates a cascade of inflammatory events

Neural Feedback Loop Leading to Inflammation2,3

Indication and Usage: RESTASIS® Ophthalmic Emulsion is indicated to increase tear production in patients whose tear production is presumed to be suppressed due to ocular inflammation associated with keratoconjunctivitis sicca. Increased tear production was not seen in patients currently taking topical anti-inflammatory drugs or using punctal plugs.

Important Safety Information:

Contraindications: RESTASIS® is contraindicated in patients with active ocular infections and in patients with known or suspected hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients in the formulation.

Warning: RESTASIS® Ophthalmic Emulsion has not been studied in patients with a history of herpes keratitis.

Precautions: RESTASIS® should not be administered while wearing contact lenses. If contact lenses are worn, they should be removed prior to the administration of the emulsion.

Adverse Reactions: The most common adverse event was ocular burning (upon instillation) – 17%. Other events reported in 1% to 5% of patients included conjunctival hyperemia, discharge, epiphora, eye pain, foreign body sensation, pruritus, stinging, and visual disturbance (most often blurring).

Please see full prescribing information for RESTASIS® Ophthalmic Emulsion.

References
  1. The definition and classification of dry eye disease: report of the Definition and Classification Subcommittee of the International Dry Eye Workshop (2007). Ocul Surf. 2007;5:75-92.
  2. Nelson JD, Helms H, Fiscella R, Southwell Y, Hirsch JD. A new look at dry eye disease and its treatment. Adv Ther. 2000;17:84-93.
  3. Stern ME, Beuerman RW, Fox RI, Gao J, Mircheff AK, Pflugelder SC. The pathology of dry eye: the interaction between the ocular surface and lacrimal glands. Cornea. 1998;17:584-589.