Abstract

Dry eye disease (also called keratoconjunctivitis sicca) is a common condition, with a prevalence ranging from 8–34%, depending on the criteria used.¹ It becomes more common with increasing age and affects more women than men. Artificial tears and ocular lubricants are considered the mainstay of treatment and there is a very wide range of these products available. In England in 2014, over 6.4 million prescription items for artificial tears, ocular lubricants and astringents were dispensed in the community at a cost to the NHS of over £27 million.² In this article we review the management of dry eye disease, focusing on artificial tears and ocular lubricants.