What is Dry Eye Disease and Its Treatment?

Dry Eye Disease (DED), or keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS), is one of the most common ocular conditions worldwide. Affecting over 10% of the general population—and up to 50% of individuals with diabetes—it is a leading cause of visits to ophthalmologists. Symptoms range from mild irritation to debilitating discomfort and vision problems. Paradoxically, many patients experience excessive tearing, as ocular irritation triggers reflex tear production.

DED occurs when the natural tear film becomes unstable, leaving the cornea and conjunctiva unprotected against constant environmental exposure. This not only causes irritation (burning, stinging, itching, redness, tearing) but also interferes with visual clarity, since the tear–air interface contributes significantly to the eye’s focusing power.

There is no cure for DED, and current treatments only manage symptoms. Available therapies include over-the-counter comfort agents (artificial tears, polymers, nutraceuticals, and herbal antioxidants) and FDA-approved prescription immunosuppressives that target inflammation. However, none directly address the underlying mechanisms of the disease—particularly in diabetics.

Therapeutic Vision, Inc. (TVI) is advancing a new generation of DED therapies that go beyond symptomatic relief:

• Kinostat® – A patented aldose reductase inhibitor developed by TVI. In clinical veterinary studies, Kinostat® has been shown to reduce the development of dry eye in dogs. Because reduced corneal sensitivity in diabetics is a major driver of DED, and aldose reductase inhibition restores corneal sensitivity while slowing disease progression, Kinostat® may represent the first direct therapy for diabetic dry eye.
• TVI Antioxidant Nutraceuticals – TVI has created a veterinary nutraceutical antioxidant formulation that mimics the multifunctional properties of its redox modulators. This formulation has demonstrated benefits in alleviating dry eye in companion animals and in human volunteers, highlighting its potential as a safe, accessible, and effective adjunct therapy.

Through these innovations, TVI is shifting the focus of DED management from palliative care to disease-modifying therapy, with solutions designed for both veterinary and human applications