What's new in dry eye research today? | Sep 22, 2026

【Title】Ocular Adverse Events Associated With Dupilumab: Analysis From a Real-World Database

【Journal】Cornea

【Authors】Osama Elaraby; Karen M Wai; Quan Dong Nguyen; et al.

【Summary】This retrospective cohort study used the TriNetX electronic health record network to characterize ocular adverse events following dupilumab initiation in 64,497 patients with at least 2 years of follow-up. The 2-year cumulative proportions were 1.39% for conjunctivitis, 1.20% for dry eye syndrome, 0.39% for blepharitis/blepharoconjunctivitis, and 0.32% for keratitis, while inflammatory eye disease and cicatricial ectropion were rare. After propensity score matching, patients treated for atopic dermatitis had higher rates of documented blepharitis/blepharoconjunctivitis, conjunctivitis, and keratitis than those treated for non-atopic dermatitis indications. Overall, documented ocular adverse events were infrequent, but clinicians should remain attentive to ocular surface inflammation, particularly in patients with atopic dermatitis.

【Title】Simulated laughter immediately improves lipid layer thickness and tear meniscus height

【Journal】Contact Lens and Anterior Eye

【Authors】Jing Li; Siqi Wang; Xiaohui Luo; et al.

【Summary】This single-center, self-controlled before-after study investigated the immediate effects of simulated laughter on tear film lipid layer thickness (LLT) and tear meniscus height (TMH) in 71 participants, including 40 patients with dry eye disease and 31 healthy controls. Participants performed 20 seconds of simulated laughter after baseline measurements. Laughter significantly increased TMH from 0.23 ± 0.08 to 0.27 ± 0.11 mm and improved LLT-Min, LLT-Max, and LLT-Average by approximately 8 nm, 8 nm, and 8 nm, respectively (all P < 0.001). These effects were observed in both dry eye and healthy participants. The findings suggest that mechanical eyelid compression and other physical effects during laughter may contribute to its potential benefits for the ocular surface.