Ocular surface disease is an umbrella term for disorders that affect the tear film, cornea, conjunctiva, and eyelids, often leading to dry, irritated, or fluctuating vision. Dry eye disease and blepharitis are common contributors.
Features and Causes
Symptoms include grittiness, burning, redness, and intermittent blur that improves with blinking; signs may range from subtle staining to frank epithelial defects.
- Causes include meibomian gland dysfunction, aqueous tear deficiency, autoimmune disease, medications, contact lenses, and environmental factors.
- Chronic inflammation and tear‑film instability perpetuate discomfort and surface damage.
- Severe OSD can follow chemical injury or limbal stem cell failure.
- Objective tests measure tear quantity, quality, and surface staining.
Management
Treatment is tailored and stepwise, combining lubricants, lid hygiene, anti‑inflammatory therapies, and sometimes punctal plugs or biologic tear substitutes.
- Lifestyle adjustments such as screen breaks, humidification, and avoiding air drafts can help.
- Systemic diseases like Sjögren’s syndrome require joint care with rheumatology.
- Advanced cases may need scleral lenses, amniotic membrane, or stem‑cell-based approaches.
- Long‑term partnership between patient and clinician is key as OSD is often chronic.
