Dry Eye

A patient with limited tear production and subsequent irritation and foreign body sensation due to a dry ocular surface. Dry eye can be idiopathic, or due to medical conditions (diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis), or due to use of certain medications (beta blockers, psychiatric, allergy). While most patients symptoms can be relieved with over-the-counter eye drops (lubricants), more severe cases require Restasis (allergan), a twice-a-day eye drop that helps the lacrimal gland produce more tears. Restasis is the only FDA-approved prescription eye drop for alleviating dry eye, although other newer drops are currently attempting to receive approval.