New Dry Eye Treatment
Increasingly Common: Dry Eye
According to Optometry Australia CPD offerings (11 May update), Dry Eye syndrome is becoming increasingly common in all age groups. The use of conditioning, fans, heating, and other methods of controlling temperature, result in lower air humidity, encouraging tear evaporation and causing dry eye symptoms. Increased screen time is also thought to be tied to the rise in Dry Eye.
Dry Eye is one of the most common reasons people seek medical eye care (Optometry Australia), and affects 5-30% of the elderly population in Australia (Sharma & Hindman, 2014). 1 in 5 people who suffer from Dry Eye syndrome are dissatisfied with their prescribed treatments (Optometry Australia). People are unhappy with their current treatments due to a range of reasons including, lack of effectiveness, side-effects and delay in results.
New Cequa Treatment
Cequa has been approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) as of February 2020. It works by reducing inflammation and increasing tear production which will stay on the eye long enough to prevent symptoms of Dry Eye from occurring. Administration of Cequa is twice a day with 12 hour intervals. And, as 'off-the-self' treatments were previously not readily available, Cequa is a promising addition to optometrists' possible prescriptions.
This drug has the potential to increase quality of life and work productivity by decreasing symptoms of Dry Eye. Symptoms include, but are not limited to:
- Itchy Eyes
- Watery Eyes
- Soreness and/or Aching
- Dryness Sensation
- Blurred Vision
- Inflammation
- Feeling that grit or a foreign object is in the eyes
Mobile Eye Clinic
Our Optometrists at MEC are experienced with identifying Dry Eye Syndrome. Cequa reportedly has no change in effectiveness or safety when used by elderly individuals and as such MEC would be considering this drug as an treatment option for Dry Eye Syndrome in the future.
If you'd like to learn more about us, visit our website or call 0402 842 691.
