Michelle Hessen, OD, FAAO

A panelist discusses how recent insights into dry eye disease highlight the importance of targeting both inflammation and tear production—showcasing treatments like cyclosporine drops and varenicline nasal spray—while emphasizing ongoing research aimed at addressing meibomian gland dysfunction and improving tear film stability for more effective, comprehensive care.

A panelist discusses how a prospective study demonstrated that twice-daily use of a nasal spray significantly improved tear film quality and ocular surface health within days, offering a valuable treatment option for patients with aqueous-deficient dry eye despite no significant changes in tear breakup time.

A panelist discusses how the COAT trial showed that switching patients with uncontrolled dry eye disease on cyclosporine 0.05% to the 0.09% solution led to significant improvements in corneal staining and symptoms by week 4, offering earlier relief than typically expected and supporting informed patient counseling.

A panelist discusses how the COAT trial demonstrated that twice-daily 0.09% cyclosporine improves multiple signs and symptoms of dry eye disease within 28 days, highlighting the value of early monitoring to optimize patient adherence and treatment outcomes.

A panelist discusses how dry eye disease involves tear film imbalance, leading to inflammation and ocular surface damage, emphasizing the importance of precise diagnosis and tailored treatment while acknowledging ongoing challenges with patient expectations, medication access, delayed symptom relief, and treatment adherence.