April 18, 2024 — The Centre for Ocular Research & Education (CORE) has dedicated the 77th issue of Contact Lens Update to recent introductions and developments of several new treatments for dry eye disease.

“Our growing understanding of this complex condition has led to the development of multiple new medications—both approved for sale and undergoing trials—that we believe have important clinical potential,” says Alex Hui, O.D., Ph.D., FAAO, head of biosciences at CORE, adjunct associate professor at the School of Optometry and Vision Science at UNSW Sydney. “These additional treatments, targeting different aspects of the disease, will offer practitioners more options to incorporate into their prescribing arsenal and help patients better manage the condition.”

In the issue’s editorial, Dr. Hui provides an overview of recently approved treatments including a short-term corticosteroid for acute periods of worsened dry eye, a preservative-free ophthalmic solution for slowing tear evaporation, and more. Authored by Etty Bitton, O.D., MSc, FAAO, FBCLA, a professor and director of the Externship Program and Dry Eye Clinic at the University of Montreal School of Optometry, the issue’s feature investigates a novel nasal spray to manage dry eye.

Other issue features include the clinical insight column, which explores a case report of a patient’s experience with dry eye and management with a recently approved ophthalmic solution to treat Demodex blepharitis, and the conference highlight, which summarizes a presentation from the American Academy of Optometry 2023 annual meeting regarding a new topical ointment for treating meibomian gland dysfunction.