New Innovations in Dry Eye Treatments: Updated Multi Tier, Step Ladder Approach to Dry Eye, Rosacea, Blepharitis Treatments:
There have been many innovations in the treatment for our dry eye patients. It is the best time in history to have this condition. The below are in phase 3 trials and have not been FDA approved yet.
I. The latest innovation is LIFITEGRAST 5%, a new anti-inflammatory drop in its final FDA approval phase.
Lifitegrast 5% is a small molecule integrin antagonist that inhibits T cell activation in 2 ways:
1. By blocking the important cellular surface proteins: Lymphocyte function-associated Antigen 1
2. By blocking Lymphocyte function-associated Antigen 1’s binding to ICAM-1: Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1
Lifitegrast 5% has the following good characteristics also:
a. it is fast acting
b. it is soluble
c. has a ph 7.0
d. complementary with Restasis
e. will likely be the first FDA approved drop for the “signs and symptoms of dry eye disease.”
It is now listed below as option 16 until FDA approval. It is not available for sale as of July 12, 2015 anywhere.
II. MUCIN Enhancers: Mucin is one of the 3 key components of a tear film produced by cells on the conjunctiva.
1. MIM-D3 by Mimetogen Pharmaceuticals is in phase 3 trials.
a. is a mimetic of nerve growth factor: a secretagogue for mucin
2. Rebamipide Suspension by Otsuka Pharmaceuticals is in phase 3 trials
a. increases mucin production by the conjunctiva
My favorite way to get Omega 3 aside from natural wild salmon, seed, and nuts intake is the below: I feed it to my kids as well 🙂