Dry Eye Research May Lead to Watershed Treatment

Millions of Americans suffer the dry, scratchy sensation and blurred vision that are symptoms of dry eye syndrome.

Dry eye syndrome is the uncomfortable condition in which your eyes are unable to produce sufficient tears to keep your eyes lubricated and help you maintain clear vision. In addition to defective tear production, hormonal changes, certain autoimmune diseases and some medications can also contribute to dry eye syndrome.

LASIK surgery has also been known to produce dry eye symptoms in patients. During LASIK, in which a laser is used to reshape the surface layer of your cornea, nerves that play a role in tear production can become damaged. While this damage is typically temporary (dry eye is one of the most commonly reported short-term side-effects of LASIK), it can be long-term or permanent in rare cases.

But researchers at the Schepens Eye Research Institute of the Harvard Medical School believe they may have found a deeper cause for dry eye syndrome. They attributed the condition in part to NK (natural killer) cells. These are cells that naturally inhabit the eye and help the eye’s immune system. They also cause inflammation, however, and this inflammation could be the root of dry eye syndrome.

Researchers tested infected two groups of mice with dry eye—one group with normal eyes and one with depleted NK cells. The mice with fewer NK cells in their eyes suffered less severe cases of dry eye than the control group did.

These findings excite scientists since they potentially point to a new way of treating dry eye syndrome. Instead of giving patients eye drops, which only treat the symptoms, doctors may eventually be able to provide medication that would target NK cells, reducing inflammation and clearing up dry eye altogether. However, there is still much research to be done.

If you have questions about LASIK vision correction options, please contact The LASIK Directory to find an ophthalmologist near you.