Medical Treatment for Dry Eye in Japan

Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2018 Nov 1;59(14):DES116-DES120. doi: 10.1167/iovs.18-24130.

Abstract

The etiology of dry eye has not been clarified. In the United States, the inflammation theory is supported as the main cause of dry eye, whereas the Asia Dry Eye Society has identified tear instability as the main cause. Based on this tear instability concept, the P2Y2 antagonist Diquas and the mucin secretagogue Mucosta were developed and launched in Japan over the last 5 years, and they have been widely prescribed to patients with dry eye. Moreover, Diquas has also been launched in other Asian countries, such as Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam. This report summarizes the efficacy and characteristics of these two eye drops to improve our understanding of dry eye.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Alanine / administration & dosage
  • Alanine / analogs & derivatives
  • Dry Eye Syndromes / drug therapy*
  • Dry Eye Syndromes / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Japan
  • Lubricant Eye Drops / administration & dosage*
  • Polyphosphates / administration & dosage
  • Quinolones / administration & dosage
  • Tears / physiology
  • Uracil Nucleotides / administration & dosage

Substances

  • Lubricant Eye Drops
  • Polyphosphates
  • Quinolones
  • Uracil Nucleotides
  • diquafosol
  • rebamipide
  • Alanine