Dry Eye 2020

wall-mounted screens in addition to our new slit-lamp camera and
video, staff and students can educate patients about the specific causes
of their dry eye. Patients are offered a full range of treatment options
and presented with a step-wise personalised management plan based on
their specific history and clinical findings.”
In alignment with TFOS DEWS II recommendations, Dr Tong
said she trains students to begin by educating the patient about
the chronic nature of dry eye disease and possible environmental
modifications. They then demonstrate lid cleansing, lid massage after
warm compresses, blinking exercises as well as drop and gel instillation,
as required. A direct correlation to the success of treatment has been
observed when a patient has a better understanding of their condition
and complies with home management, she said.
The patient’s dry eye management plan is then re-evaluated at the
next appointment to determine the patient’s progress, so it can be
amended according to the patient’s response, taking into account new
research, treatments or tips as these emerge, said Dr Tong. “At this
stage, the students are able to discuss other available in-office treatment
options such as the Blephasteam with gland expression, BlephEx ‘deep’
lid cleansing, IPL (intense pulsed light) or Lipiflow therapy. The longterm,
follow-up care is recognised to be critical to successful outcomes
and satisfied patients.”
Associate Professor Jennifer Craig, head of the Ocular Surface
Laboratory at the University, has been involved since the clinic’s
inception and has supported its development. She is extremely proud
of the clinic’s work, student training and the expansion of its services,
so more patients, many of whom have suffered with DED for a long
time, can be helped, she said. “It is a fulfilling specialty and a privilege
to watch future eyecare professionals being inspired to learn new
techniques to better manage their patients of the future, as the demand
for dry eye therapy increases.”
Demodex treatment
advances
TP-O3, A TOPICAL ophthalmic
treatment for blepharitis due
to Demodex infestation, has
successfully completed its phase
IIb trial.
Adapted from an established
veterinary medicine, TP-03,
which targets the nervous
Cylindrical eyelash crusting considered
system of the Demodex mite, pathognomonic of Demodex infestation
killing the mites, was found to
be safe and well tolerated. The Mexican research study, published
in Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, included 15 patients
with mild to severe lid margin erythema and an average Demodex
density of 1.5 mites per lash. After 28 days of treatment, Demodex
density decreased to 0.14 ± 0.05 mites per lash, with effects persisting
for more than 90 days and an associated decrease in blepharitis signs.
“At 97% of visits, patients rated the drop as neutral to very
comfortable,” said lead researcher, ophthalmologist Dr Roberto
Gonzalez-Salinas in his virtual Association for Research in Vision and
Ophthalmology (ARVO) presentation. “My colleagues and I are excited
that there is a possible new therapy that targets the underlying cause
of disease for nearly half of all blepharitis patients.”
TP-03 is currently being developed as a multidose, preserved
formulation by Tarsus Pharmaceuticals and phase III trials are
expected to begin later this year.
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