What's new in dry eye research today? | Oct 1, 2026

【Title】Ocular manifestations of lichen planus: a comparative analysis of tear function, choroidal thickness, and retinal parameters

【Journal】BMC Ophthalmol

【Authors】Furkan Çiftci; İsa An; Gökhan Çelik; et al.

【Summary】This prospective case-control study compared tear function, choroidal thickness, and retinal parameters between 35 patients with lichen planus (LP) and 35 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. LP patients had significantly lower Schirmer I values and tear break-up times than controls (10.34 ± 2.17 vs. 18.37 ± 2.35 mm; 10.74 ± 1.99 vs. 13.06 ± 0.64 s; both p < 0.001). Subfoveal choroidal thickness was also significantly reduced in the LP group (299.43 ± 30.03 vs. 345.40 ± 41.89 μm; p < 0.001), with similar reductions nasally and temporally. No significant differences were found in axial length, intraocular pressure, central retinal thickness, RNFL, or GCC thickness. The findings suggest that LP may be associated with impaired tear function and reduced choroidal thickness.

【Title】Xiaoyao San Alleviates Depression-Associated Dry Eye via the LncRNA-Nespas/TAK1 Axis by Suppressing Central and Peripheral Inflammation

【Journal】Adv Biol (Weinh)

【Authors】Jun Peng; Junyao Li; Ying Ni; et al.

【Summary】This study investigated the therapeutic effects and molecular mechanisms of Xiaoyao San (XYP) in depression-associated dry eye disease (DED). A mouse model of comorbid depression and DED was established using chronic unpredictable mild stress combined with a low-humidity environment. XYP alleviated depressive-like behaviors, restored tear secretion, and reduced corneal injury. Mechanistically, XYP suppressed TAK1 expression and p38/NF-κB phosphorylation while enhancing the interaction between lncRNA-Nespas and TAK1. Similar anti-inflammatory effects were observed in activated microglia and stressed human corneal epithelial cells, whereas silencing lncRNA-Nespas significantly attenuated these effects. The findings suggest that XYP may alleviate depression-associated DED through the lncRNA-Nespas/TAK1 axis and suppression of central and ocular inflammation.