Pharmacotherapy of dry eye disease and ocular pain

In this chapter, we will present an overview of the treatment approaches used for the management of signs and symptoms of dry eye as well as ocular pain. Following a brief description of the clinical aspects of the diseases, we will present the experimental models (both in vitro and in vivo) and clinical trial data that helped in the elucidation of the mechanisms of their etiologies and the role of the inflammatory pathways in the expression of their signs and symptoms. An overview of dry eye and ocular pain armamentarium already available for their management, as well as the products under development will be presented and how drugs work in the pathophysiology of dry eye and ocular pain will be discussed.