To Explore the Real World Research Status of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine in the Treatment of Dry Eye Disease

Abstract

Dry eye disease (DED) is a chronic ocular surface disease caused by abnormal tear quality, quantity and dynamics, which can lead to tear film instability, ocular surface microenvironment imbalance, accompanied by inflammation, tissue damage and nerve abnormalities, causing eye discomfort and visual dysfunction [1]. The global prevalence rate is 5 % -50 %, and the incidence rate in China is 21 % -30 %, accounting for more than 30 % of ophthalmic clinics [2-3], and the disease burden is significant. Its etiology is complex, involving living habits, endocrine changes, psychological factors, environmental pollution, systemic diseases and drug effects [4]. Western medicine treatment is mainly based on symptomatic interventions such as artificial tears, anti-inflammatory drugs, and lacrimal duct embolization. Traditional Chinese medicine is based on syndrome differentiation and treatment, and multi-target regulation is achieved by oral administration of traditional Chinese medicine combined with acupuncture and other external treatments, which has the advantages of symptom relief and course delay. In recent years, real world study (RWS) has provided new ideas for the diagnosis and treatment of dry eye. The huge patient population in China has accumulated rich data for RWS, which can deeply analyze the disease mechanism, epidemiological characteristics and dynamic changes of treatment effect [5], and help to formulate individualized treatment plans. By integrating domestic and foreign research, this paper systematically reviews the real-world evidence of Chinese and Western medicine in the treatment of dry eye, aiming to provide more timely and evidence-based reference for clinical practice and promote the optimization of diagnosis and treatment strategies.