PARIS — Dry eye is a rare condition in children that often goes unrecognized because children do not report symptoms, according to a clinician speaking here.
"There is no reason to worry about a transient ocular discomfort, effectively managed with a few eye drops. But when symptoms persist, a proper diagnosis is mandatory," Dominique Brémond-Gignac, MD, OSN Europe Edition Editorial Board Member, said at the meeting of the French Society of Ophthalmology.
Possible causes are benign ocular surface disorders such as allergic conjunctivitis as well as more severe disorders, such as ocular rosacea with meibomian gland dysfunction or atopic keratoconjunctivitis, not commonly described in children. Other forms of dry eye may be observed in conjunction with systemic diseases or viral infections such as varicella zoster. More rarely, it can be a sign of specific and rare congenital disorders such as alacrima.
"Like in adults, tear substitutes and lubricants are first-line treatment in all cases. I recommend the use of the more viscous type of tear substitutes that remain in the eye for longer," Dr. Brémond-Gignac said.
Compliance can be a problem but tends to improve once children discover that drops can alleviate symptoms, according to Dr. Brémond-Gignac.
Cyclosporine can also be helpful in pediatric cases, she said.
* Disclosure: No products or companies are mentioned that would require financial disclosure.
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