Are there Clinical Ways to Assess Inflammation in Dry Eye Disease?

ABSTRACT

In the diagnostic process of dry eye disease, the detection of inflammatory activity is critical in order to evaluate the risk of progression and immunologic shift of the disease, to predict patient response to treatment, and to design an efficient therapeutic strategy, including artificial tear replacement, punctal occlusion or anti-inflammatory therapy.

Even if it is difficult to quantify, some indicators of the presence of inflammation are collectible during the examination of the ocular surface in a first-line clinical setting. This review presents and critically discusses the assessment of inflammation in dry eye disease in clinical practice.

KEYWORDS:

• Dry eye
• diagnosis
• inflammation
• nerve receptors
• pain
• hyperemia
• tear mucus
• vital staining
• lissamine green

Acknowledgments

Editorial assistance was provided by Aashni Shah (Polistudium srl, Milan, Italy); this assistance was supported by internal funds.

Author contribution

Both authors contributed equally to organize and write the paper.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest.