Treatment of contact lens related dry eye with antibacterial honey.

Aim: Contact lens induced dry eye affects approximately 50% of contact lens wearers. The aim was to assess the effects of Manuka (Leptospermum sp.) honey eye drops (Optimel, Melcare, Australia) on dry eye in contact lens wearers.

Impact of oral vitamin D supplementation on the ocular surface in people with dry eye and/or low serum vitamin D.

Purpose: To determine the possible association between serum vitamin D levels and dry eye symptoms, and the impact of an oral vitamin D supplement.

Methods: Three linked studies were performed. (i) 29 older adult participants, (ii) 29 dry eyed participants, and (iii) 2-month vitamin D supplementation for 32 dry eyed/low serum vitamin D levelled participants.

Intense pulsed light treatment and meibomian gland expression for moderate to advanced meibomian gland dysfunction.

Background: The aim was to evaluate the efficacy of periocular intense pulsed light therapy combined with meibomian gland expression for chronic dry eye due to moderate to advanced meibomian gland dysfunction.

Methods: This single-institution, open-label prospective study involved 26 participants who received bilateral treatments using a proprietary intense pulsed light device (E > Eye, E-Swin, Paris, France) combined with therapeutic meibomian gland expression at baseline, Week 2 and Week 6. Clinical evaluations performed at baseline, Week 4, Week 8 and Week 12 were symptom scores (Ocular Surface Disease Index [OSDI], Ocular Comfort Index [OCI], daily lubricant use, tear break-up time and ocular surface staining).

Randomised controlled trial of topical antibacterial Manuka (Leptospermum species) honey for evaporative dry eye due to meibomian gland dysfunction.

Background: The aim was to evaluate the efficacy of standardised Manuka (Leptospermum species) antibacterial honey as adjunctive twice daily treatment to conventional therapy (warm compresses, lid massage and preservative-free lubricant), in participants with evaporative dry eye due to moderate to advanced meibomian gland dysfunction.

Methods: This prospective, open-label study involved 114 participants. After two weeks of conventional therapy participants were randomised to one of three treatment groups: Optimel Antibacterial Manuka Eye Gel (98 per cent Leptospermum species honey) plus conventional therapy (n = 37), Optimel Manuka plus Lubricant Eye Drops (16 per cent Leptospermum species honey) plus conventional therapy (n = 37) and a control (conventional therapy) (n = 40).

Standardised antibacterial Manuka honey in the management of persistent post-operative corneal oedema: a case series.

Background: Corneal oedema is a common post-operative problem that delays or prevents visual recovery from ocular surgery. Honey is a supersaturated solution of sugars with an acidic pH, high osmolarity and low water content. These characteristics inhibit the growth of micro-organisms, reduce oedema and promote epithelialisation.

Late reactivation of herpes zoster keratitis results in band keratopathy.

Purpose: To report an unusual case of a late-stage reactivation of immune stromal keratitis associated with herpes zoster ophthalmicus (HZO), occurring without any apparent predisposing factors, more than 4 years after an acute zoster dermatomal rash. Significant corneal hypoesthesia and a central band keratopathy developed within 6 months of the late-stage reactivation. The clinical case management, issues associated with management, and management options are discussed, including the use of standardized, regulatory approved, antibacterial medical honey.

Effect of antibacterial honey on the ocular flora in tear deficiency and meibomian gland disease.

Purpose: To assess for differences in the ocular flora of patients with dry eye caused by tear deficiency and/or meibomian gland disease and to assess the effect of antibacterial honey on the ocular flora in these forms of dry eye.

Methods: In this prospective, open-label pilot study, bacteria isolated from the eyelid margin and conjunctiva were identified and quantified before and at 1 and 3 months after initiation of treatment with topical application of antibacterial honey 3 times daily. Subjects had non-Sjogren tear deficiency (n = 20), Sjogren syndrome tear deficiency (n = 11), meibomian gland disease (n = 15), and non-Sjogren tear deficiency with meibomian gland disease (n = 20), and there were 18 non-dry eye subjects.

Dry eye after LASIK: comparison of outcomes for Asian and Caucasian eyes.

Background: Dry eye is a common complication of LASIK surgery. Our clinical impression was that post-LASIK dry eye was more problematic for our Asian patients. The aim of this study was to determine if dry eye after LASIK is more prevalent, more sustained and more severe in Asian eyes compared with Caucasian eyes.

Wavefront aberrations following laser in situ keratomileusis and refractive lens exchange for hypermetropia.

Purpose: To compare the magnitude of aberrations in eyes after elective hypermetropic laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) and refractive lens exchange (clear lens replacement).

Methods: Forty-nine patients (92 eyes) had hypermetropic LASIK and 28 (48 eyes) had refractive lens exchange; 23 hypermetropic subjects (41 eyes) were the control group. LASIK was performed with the Nidek EC-5000 excimer laser; ablation zones 5.

Chronic dry eye and regression after laser in situ keratomileusis for myopia.

Purpose: To examine the relationship between chronic dry eye and refractive regression after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) for myopia.

Setting: Excimer Laser Vision Centre and Centre for Eye Research, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia.

Methods: This study was based on a retrospective analysis of a clinical database and a case study series.

Management of the ocular surface and tear film before, during, and after laser in situ keratomileusis.

Purpose: To identify evidence-based, best practice strategies for managing the ocular surface and tear film before, during, and after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK).

Methods: After a comprehensive review of relevant published literature, evidence-based recommendations for best practice management strategies are presented.

Results: Symptoms of ocular irritation and signs of dysfunction of the integrated lacrimal gland/ocular surface functional gland unit are common before and after LASIK.

Ocular surface management of photorefractive keratectomy and laser in situ keratomileusis.

Purpose: To examine the effects of keratorefractive surgery and ocular surface management on goblet cell density, dry eye symptom incidence, and spherical equivalent refraction.

Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of four myopia groups: Untreated controls (n = 53); PRK (n = 51); LASIK without ocular surface management (n = 56); LASIK with ocular surface management (n = 140). Ocular surface management involved the routine use of non-preserved artificial tears and other lubricants before, during, and after surgery.

Management of filamentary keratitis associated with aqueous-deficient dry eye.

Purpose: To review the incidence, underlying pathophysiology, and clinical features of filamentary keratitis and to identify evidence-based best-practice strategies for managing filamentary keratitis.

Methods: A comprehensive review of published literature was undertaken. Recommendations for best-practice management strategies were based on the available evidence.

Dry eye: an update on clinical diagnosis, management and promising new treatments.

Dry eye conditions are prevalent with one in four to five patients presenting to eye care practitioners having dry eye signs and/or symptoms. An intimate relationship exists between the ocular surface and the tear film. The cycle of tear film instability and ocular surface damage characteristic of dry eye conditions suggests that dry eye represents a dysfunction of an integrated ocular surface-lacrimal gland unit.

A comparison of the effect of refresh plus and bion tears on dry eye symptoms and ocular surface health in myopic LASIK patients.

Purpose: To compare the effect of artificial tears (0.5% carboxymethylcellulose [CMC] in lactate buffer vs. 0.

Effect of laser in situ keratomileusis for hyperopia on tear film and ocular surface.

Purpose: To examine the effects of laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) for hyperopia on the tear film and ocular surface.

Methods: A retrospective 12-month analysis of 88 eyes (88 participants) who had LASIK for hyperopia was performed. Participants were evaluated before and after (2 weeks, 1, 3, 6, and 12 months) surgery for dry eye symptoms (McMonnies Dry Eye Survey primary symptoms), tear film stability (fluorescein break-up time), tear volume (phenol red thread test), ocular surface staining (fluorescein), and conjunctival goblet cell density.