What's new in dry eye research today? | Aug 31, 2026

【Title】Focused Ultrasound Stimulation of the Anterior Ethmoidal Nerve: Design and Experimental Validation of a Noninvasive Transducer for the Treatment of Dry Eye Disease in Rabbits

【Journal】Ultrasound Med Biol

【Authors】Yulin Chen; Yiting Sun; Xirenayi Zhuoruo; et al.

【Summary】This study evaluated low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) as a noninvasive approach for stimulating the anterior ethmoidal nerve in a rabbit model of dry eye disease. LIPUS significantly increased tear production without causing significant tissue damage, supporting further investigation of ultrasound-mediated neuromodulation for dry eye treatment.

【Title】Development and validation of a non-invasive RT-qPCR protocol for Nrf2 mRNA quantification in human tear fluid: A platform for ocular surface redox biomarker research

【Journal】Exp Eye Res

【Authors】Renato Galao Cerquinho Leca; Fernando Luiz Affonso Fonseca; Glaucia Luciano da Veiga; et al.

【Summary】This study developed and validated a non-invasive RT-qPCR protocol for quantifying Nrf2 mRNA in human tear fluid collected with Schirmer strips, optimized for ultra-low tear volumes. In 35 healthy adults, Nrf2 mRNA was detected in 26 participants (74.3%), with primer efficiencies of 98.2% for Nrf2 and 101.5% for RPL13a, providing a validated platform for ocular surface redox biomarker research.

【Title】Precision management of autoimmune ocular complications: Th17 mechanisms and therapeutic innovations

【Journal】Exp Eye Res

【Authors】Hongyu Li; Ting Wang; Chuyao Wang; et al.

【Summary】This review summarizes the immunopathogenesis and emerging treatments of ocular complications associated with systemic autoimmune diseases, highlighting the roles of the Th17/IL-17 axis, TNF-α, complement C5a, and immune-stromal interactions. It also discusses emerging biomarkers and targeted therapies that may support more precise disease phenotyping and management, while noting that approaches such as JAK inhibitors and cellular therapies require further validation.

#Dryeyedisease #DED #MeibomianGlandDysfunction #MGD #OcularSurfaceDisease #OSD #ThermalPulsationTherapy #TPT