GuidelinesEML (Adult Hospital STG)
Dry Eye Disease
Standard Treatment Guidelines and Essential Medicines List for South Africa, Hospital Level, Adults 2019 Edition
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H04.1
DESCRIPTION
- Dry eye occurs when there is inadequate tear volume or function. It is a multifactorial disease of the ocular surface.
- The common symptoms include feelings of dryness, grittiness, burning and foreign body sensation, usually worse during the day.
- A stringy discharge, redness and transient blurring of vision are also common.
- Allergic conjunctivitis should be excluded.
GENERAL MEASURES
- The management of dry eye involves controlling the symptoms, since the disease is generally not curable.
- Management encompasses both pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic approaches.
- Relieve symptoms with warm compresses, i.e. a clean moistened cloth over the eyes for at least 1 minute two to three times per day.
- Patients should be educated to avoid over the counter topical medications, many of which exacerbate dryness, and control their environmental factors (e.g. encourage frequent blinking during visually attentive tasks, avoid air conditioners or heating, use humidifiers).
MEDICINE TREATMENT
Tear substitutes:
- Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, ophthalmic drops, 1 drop, 6 hourly.
LoE:IVbxxvii
OR
- Lanolin, anhydrous liquid, ophthalmic ointment, at night.
LoE:IVbxxviii
Standard Treatment Guidelines and Essential Medicines List for South Africa, Adult Hospital Level, 2020-2024_Version 1.0_30 September 2024
Chapter 18 Eye Disorders_18.9 Dry Eye Disease