Therapeutic Strategies in Dry Eye Disease - A Survey of Possible Substitution Therapies and Causal Therapeutic Approaches

Substitution therapy with artificial tears is the standard in dry eye disease. Nowadays there are a vast variety of different preparations. This article gives an overview of both new and old approaches to substitution therapy (one-, two- and three-phase preparations) as well as opportunities for the causal treatment. Here, we provide dry eye treatment options regarding sophisticated disease subgroups, classifications concerning the affected tear film layer (aqueous, mucinous or lipid phase), and immunological dysfunctions.