Jimmy K. Lee, MD, Director of the Cornea and Refractive Surgery Section, Yale Eye Center, discusses dry eye treatment, including lubricant drops, cyclosporin and plugging the drainage tube system in the eyelids.

Summary:
1. Treatment for dry eyes refractory to lubricant drops may include using restasis, a cyclosporin drop that increases tear production and goblet cell density. Plugging drainage of tears in the eyelid may also work.
2. Diagnosis of dry eyes must include visual acuity and Schermer’s test, which measures tear volume.

References and Resources:
Machado LM, Castro RS, Fontes BM. Staining Patterns in Dry Eye Syndrome: Rose Bengal Versus Lissamine Green. Cornea. 2009 Jul 1.
[Current methods for treating the dry eye syndrome.] Vestn Oftalmol. 2009 May-Jun;125(3):55-8. Russian.

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