DRY EYE TREATMENT THAT GETS TO THE SITE OF INFLAMMATION
80% of dry eye patients suffer from short-term, episodic exacerbations known as dry eye flares1,2,*†
- Dry eye flares are rapid-onset, inflammation-driven responses to a variety of triggers3
- Potential triggers for dry eye flares include seasonal allergies, air conditioning use, digital screen time, air travel, contact lens wear, or medications2-4
Are you talking to your patients about dry eye flares?
of dry eye patients still suffer from dry eye flares, despite using artificial tears or being on chronic therapy.1,5*†
of all dry eye patients report having dry eye flares rather than continuous symptoms.5†
*The use of artificial tears was not allowed during the EYSUVIS® trials.5
†Data based on: Study of Dry Eye Sufferers conducted by Multi-sponsor Surveys, Inc., trended series; 2018 study (n=751); 2020 study (n=774); 2018 Lieberman Dry Eye Patient Survey (n=297).5
Which patients may experience dry eye flares?
- Patients with dry eye who use artificial tears, but still suffer acute episodes of worsening symptoms (dry eye flares)*
- Patients using daily chronic prescription therapy for induction and/or breakthrough flares
Pathophysiology of dry eye flares3
Dry eye flares begin when cells of the ocular surface encounter a danger signal, such as refractive surgery, or an environmental trigger, which elicits a rapid innate immune response. The innate response may be followed by the slower adaptive response. Once an adaptive response is established, future flares may occur at a lower stress threshold, with inflammation maintained over a longer period.
REFERENCES
1. Brazzell RK, Zickl L, Farrelly J, et al. Prevalence and characteristics of symptomatic dry eye flares: results from patient questionnaire surveys. Poster presented at: AAOPT 2019; October 23-27, 2019; Orlando, FL.
2. Korenfeld M, Nichols KK, Goldberg D, et al. Safety of KPI-121 ophthalmic suspension 0.25% in patients with dry eye disease: a pooled analysis of 4 multicenter, randomized, vehicle-controlled studies. Cornea. 2021;40(5):564-570.
3. Perez VL, Stern ME, Pflugfelder SC. Inflammatory basis for dry eye disease flares. Exp Eye Res. 2020;201:108294.
4. Iyer JV, Lee S-Y, Tong L. The dry eye disease activity log study. ScientificWorldJournal. 2012;2012:589875.
5. Alcon data on file, 2020.
6. EYSUVIS®. Prescribing Information. Kala Pharmaceuticals; 2020.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Contraindications
EYSUVIS®, as with other ophthalmic corticosteroids, is contraindicated in most viral diseases of the cornea and conjunctiva including epithelial herpes simplex keratitis (dendritic keratitis), vaccinia, and varicella, and also in mycobacterial infection of the eye and fungal diseases of ocular structures.
INDICATION
EYSUVIS® is a corticosteroid indicated for the short-term (up to two weeks) treatment of the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease.
Warnings and Precautions
Delayed Healing and Corneal Perforation: Topical corticosteroids have been known to delay healing and cause corneal and scleral thinning. Use of topical corticosteroids in the presence of thin corneal or scleral tissue may lead to perforation. The initial prescription and each renewal of the medication order should be made by a physician only after examination of the patient with the aid of magnification, such as slit lamp biomicroscopy, and, where appropriate, fluorescein staining.
Intraocular Pressure (IOP) Increase: Prolonged use of corticosteroids may result in glaucoma with damage to the optic nerve, as well as defects in visual acuity and fields of vision. Corticosteroids should be used with caution in the presence of glaucoma. Renewal of the medication order should be made by a physician only after examination of the patient and evaluation of the IOP.
Cataracts: Use of corticosteroids may result in posterior subcapsular cataract formation.
Bacterial Infections: Use of corticosteroids may suppress the host response and thus increase the hazard of secondary ocular infections. In acute purulent conditions, corticosteroids may mask infection or enhance existing infection.
Viral Infections: Use of a corticosteroid medication in the treatment of patients with a history of herpes simplex requires great caution. Use of ocular corticosteroids may prolong the course and may exacerbate the severity of many viral infections of the eye (including herpes simplex).
Fungal Infections: Fungal infections of the cornea are particularly prone to develop coincidentally with long-term local corticosteroid application. Fungus invasion must be considered in any persistent corneal ulceration where a corticosteroid has been used or is in use.
Adverse Reactions
The most common adverse drug reaction following the use of EYSUVIS® for two weeks was instillation site pain, which was reported in 5% of patients.
View full Prescribing Information for EYSUVIS®.