Orbit and ocular adnexae
Tear Film Treatments
Unlock FRCOphth Part 1 Study Notes to access this content.
Get access- Ocular surface disease arises from deficiency in one or more tear film components
- Aqueous deficiency in Sjogren’s syndrome
- Mucin deficiency in cicatricial conjunctival disease and hypovitaminosis A
- Lipid deficiency in chronic meibomian gland inflammation
Artificial tears/ocular lubricants: typically composed of inorganic ions (eg. 0.9% NaCl) and polymers to increase wettability
- Polyvinyl alcohol
- Semisynthetic celluloses
- Hyaluronic acid
- Polyacrylic acid (carbomer) gel: forms a stable tear film and increases retention time
Mucolytics: acetylcysteine (derivative of L-cysteine) dissolves mucous threads that develop in keratoconjunctivitis sicca (but does not affect corneal wetting).