Dry Eye Disease: A Comprehensive Review

Abstract

Dry eye is ubiquitous but under diagnosed ocular morbidity. Many people didn't recognize or refuse this ocular morbidity due to inadequate knowledge, but now our understanding of DED has improved dramatically over the last 20 years with advancements in research .Dry eye disease is multifactorial disease of tear film and ocular surface that result in discomfort, visual disturbance and tear film instability with possible damage to ocular surface. Tear film is a complex mixture of substance secreted from the multiple sources on the ocular surface, including lacrimal gland, meibomian glands and goblet cells. As the population ages, the prevalence of dry eye is likely to increase, yet the condition is often underrecognized and undertreated. This comprehensive review article describes our current knowledge and understanding of the causes and interprets the detail information on definition, prevalence, etiology, classification, diagnostic test, and method of management of dry eye disease. This paper also discusses on ongoing researches, current challenge and future directions for advancing knowledge and treatment of the condition. Via this comprehensive review, in the light of our current understanding of DED, we aim to provide awareness among the patients, health care professionals, researchers, and especially among them who are at major risk for developing DED about diagnosis and treatment of DED and recent developments and future challenges in management of dry eye disease. Beside these, we have also stressed on lifestyle changes and dietary behaviors that may affect the tear dynamics.