Focus On Dry Eyes In PAC Presentation, Australia

Main Category: Eye Health / Blindness
Article Date: 30 Sep 2009 - 3:00 PDT

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The problem of dry eyes is very common in Australia but often remains undiagnosed or under-treated.

Despite the benign sounding name, dry-eye syndrome can have a significantly negative impact on quality of life and if poorly treated can result in sight-threatening consequences.

The condition will be the subject of a special presentation at the Pharmacy Australia Congress being held in Sydney from 15-18 October under the overarching theme of Securing Your Practice Advantage.

Dr Geraldine Moses from the Drug Information centre at Queensland's Mater Hospital will present on Dealing with Dry Eyes- it's easier than you think! as part of the PAC/Australian Association of Consultant Pharmacy stream being held at the Congress. "Dry-eye syndromes are classified into Evaporative (Sjögren and Non-Sjögren) and Aqueous Deficient forms, the latter being further divided into intrinsic and extrinsic types," Dr Moses says.

"There are a variety of causes of dry eye ranging from ageing itself, to diseases, surgery and medication side effects.

"Interventions range from addressing the underlying cause as well as preventive therapies, tear preservation (eg. punctual plugs), tear replacement (drops, gels, etc) to medical and surgical treatments.

"We will discuss all these options, how they compare and their place in therapy so that pharmacists can guide the dry eye patient to optimum management of their condition." Dr Moses will also give a presentation on the emerging complication of bisphosphonate - therapyis ocular inflammation that can result in uveitis, scleritis and conjunctivitis.

These inflammatory conditions have most frequently been reported in association with pamidronate, an intravenous bisphosphonate, but are increasingly being reported in association with oral bisphosphonates as well such as alendronate and risedronate. "Given the popularity of bisphosphonates in the management of OP, it is important that consultant pharmacists are aware of this new drug safety issue for prompt identification and timely intervention," Dr Moses says.

Source
Pharmaceutical Society of Australia