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Dry eye syndrome is incredibly common and prevalence is increasing globally. Studies show that prevalence rates vary from five to 50 per cent but can be as high as 75 per cent in people over the age of 40, in people who wear contact lenses and those who work with computers. It is more common in women than in men, particularly during and after the menopause. According to a new real-world research commissioned by world experts in eye-care, Rohto, more than eight in ten women (83 per cent) indicate that they suffer from the condition, but only once they have had the symptoms of dry eye syndrome described to them. Without detailed explanation, 56 per cent of people say they have never even heard of dry eye syndrome, showing just how under diagnosed it may be. Causes of dry eye Dry eyes are a clinical cause of eye irritation, fatigue, and discomfort, often causing feelings of itchiness, grittiness, and excess watering. If left untreated, dry eyes can even lead to long-term damage and sight problems. Dry eyes may occur if enough tears aren't produced if poor-quality tears are generated or if the tears evaporate from the surface of the eye too quickly. This leads to poor lubrication of the tear film. In a normal eye, the tear film4- the multilayer moist protective film - covers the cornea and lubricates the eye. However, if the lubricative process is faulty dry spots appear on the surface of the eye and this causes irritation and discomfort. The tear film has several layers: fatty oils, aqueous fluid, and mucus. This combination normally keeps the surface of your eyes lubricated, smooth and clear. But problems with any of these layers can cause dry eyes.

Dry eye disease, also known as dry eye syndrome, occurs when the eye stops producing enough tears, the tears that are made are of poor quality or the tears evaporate faster than they should. This causes dryness and irritation of the surface of the eye and results in inflammation, discomfort, and damage.[i] Symptoms include dry, red, itchy or tired eyes, blurred vision and foreign body sensation. From over-the-counter eye drops and heated eye masks, to eyelid-cleansing wipes, there are a multitude of options that can be offered to sufferers to provide relief. As a result of the pandemic and new living and working patterns, the World Health Organization has indicated dry eye disease is on the rise. This can be attributed to various lifestyle factors including increased screen use and wearing of face masks. An increase in sufferers seeking advice on the condition in pharmacies has also been reported. It is no surprise that sufferers will turn to their pharmacists for help, support and information on the condition and how it can be managed by treatment options available over-the-counter.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) on Thursday (May 19) said that an anticipated autumn Covid booster campaign would be aimed at people aged over 65, care home residents, frontline health and social care workers and all adults in a clinical risk group. The UK is offering a spring booster to the over-75s, care home residents and immunosuppressed people, and ministers have spoken openly of plans for a further booster campaign in the autumn. In interim advice, the JCVI stopped short of recommending another shot for all adults, though said the advice would be reviewed and updated. "The JCVI's current view is that in autumn 2022, a Covid-19 vaccine should be offered to: residents in a care home for older adults and staff; frontline health and social care workers; all those 65 years of age and over; and adults aged 16 to 64 years who are in a clinical risk group," the UK Health Security Agency said in a statement. Prime minister Boris Johnson, who was fiercely criticised for his handling of the early stages of the pandemic, lifted Covid restrictions in England in February, crediting Britain's quick initial vaccine rollout and the rollout of boosters with breaking the link between cases and deaths.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has issued a medicine supply notification for Sulfasalazine 250mg in 5ml oral suspension sugar free; Pilocarpine hydrochloride 4% eye drops; Fluticasone 50microgram / Salmeterol 25microgam (Combisal) pressurised metered dose inhaler (pMDI); and Dalteparin (Fragmin) 10,000units/1mL solution for injection ampoule on Wednesday (21 December). "Sulfasalazine 250mg/5ml oral suspension sugar free is out of stock from w/c 19th December until early June 2023. Sulfasalazine 500mg non-enteric coated tablets remain available "IPS Pharma, Nova Labs, and Rokshaw have currently confirmed they can manufacturer sulfasalazine 250mg/5ml oral suspension," said DHSC. Pilocarpine 4% eye drops are out of stock until w/c 26th December 2022. Alternative strengths of pilocarpine (1% and 2%) eye drops remain available and will be able to support increased demand. Specials of pilocarpine 4% preservative free eye drops are available if the licensed alternatives are not suitable. For off-label use of the 4% drops in the treatment of xerostomia (dry mouth) in palliative care, pilocarpine 5mg tablets are available and are licensed for this indication.

Long waits for an ambulance or surgery led to the death of 112 people, and nearly 8,000 more people suffered harm while waiting for help in England last year. The data from NHS England, obtained by The Guardian, show that patient deaths arising directly from care delays have risen more than fivefold over the last three years. In 2019, there were 21 patient deaths due to NHS care delays, and 96 people suffered "severe harm" as compared to 152 last year. Adult mental health care was mostly affected with 471 patients experiencing harm due to delays, followed by childbirth care (253), eye problems (221), and trauma and general surgery (207). There has been increase of 97 percent in the overall number of people suffering some degree of harm, from 3,979 in 2019 to 7,856 in 2022.

The outbreak of Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) in the UK, which is associated with contaminated eye gels imported from India, has led to the death of one person, and many others falling ill, according to a government report. Bcc is a group of antibiotic-resistant bacteria that are widely found within the environment. Although it rarely causes infection, it can result in severe ones in individuals with compromised immune systems and those living with cystic fibrosis, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said. Between January 2023 and February 2024, there were 52 confirmed and six probable cases across the UK linked to the bacteria outbreak, as revealed in the Health Protection Report published by UKHSA. Forty-one of these cases were hospital inpatients, 38 of which were in critical-care settings. Twenty-five cases were considered to have "clinically significant infections attributable to Bcc", out of which 11 had eye infections, nine had respiratory infections and four had bacteremia (bacteria entering the bloodstream). Two individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF) were infected, and while one was treated, the other died, with the report indicating Bcc infection to have "contributed to the death."

Winter often brings specific challenges for eye care due to cold, dry weather conditions. Dr. Arushi Gupta, a Consultant Ophthalmologist at Kailash Deepak Hospital, addresses common concerns and offers expert advice on safeguarding eye health during the winter months.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has recommended faricimab as treatment option for adults with wet age-related macular degeneration or diabetic macular oedema. Thousands of people in England could benefit from the recommendation of a new drug that helps to treat two leading causes of sight loss and visual impairment. Faricimab is administered as an eye injection and is being recommended as an option for treating some adults with wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) or with diabetic macular oedema (DMO). In the key clinical trials, aflibercept, another eye injection drug used to treat AMD and DMO, was administered every 8 weeks, while faricimab dosing, based on assessments of the disease activity, allowed for an interval of up to 16 weeks between doses, and was found to be equally effective. Up to 300,000 people in England with wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) could be eligible to receive faricimab as part of their treatment alongside just over 28,000 people with diabetic macular oedema.

BioLight Life Sciences Investments announced that DiagnosTear has received all necessary approvals from Sheba Medical Center near Tel Aviv to begin a clinical study with its TeaRx, point-of-care Dry Eye Syndrome diagnostic assay.