What's new in dry eye research today? | Oct 8, 2026

【Title】Standardized wild green oat extract (Avena sativa L.) attenuates sleep deprivation-induced dry eye via restoration of lacrimal cAMP/AQP5-dependent aqueous secretion and meibomian PPAR-γ/FASN-mediated lipid synthesis

【Journal】Food Funct

【Summary】In a mouse model of sleep deprivation-induced dry eye, oral wild green oat extract (GOE; 10 or 40 mg/kg twice daily for 16 days) increased tear secretion, improved tear film stability, and preserved ocular tissue integrity. Mechanistically, GOE modulated cAMP/AQP5-dependent aqueous secretion in the lacrimal glands and PPAR-γ/FASN-associated lipid synthesis in the meibomian glands, supporting further investigation of its potential for sleep deprivation-related dry eye.

【Title】Effects and Safety of Grape Skin Enzyme Fermentation Extract for Eye Fatigue and Dry Eye Symptoms: An Exploratory Randomized Controlled Trial

【Journal】Ophthalmol Ther

【Summary】In this 12-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving 68 adults, grape skin enzyme fermentation extract (KL-GEFE, 400 mg/day) significantly improved Schirmer I test values (adjusted between-group difference, 4.46 mm; P < 0.001) and adapted Eye Strain Questionnaire scores (−4.29 points; P = 0.041) compared with placebo. No significant between-group differences were found in OSDI, tear film stability, or ocular-surface staining, and no serious adverse events occurred; these exploratory findings require confirmation in further trials.

【Title】A scoping review of integrated blink analysis technologies for ocular surface diseases

【Journal】Eye (Lond)

【Summary】This scoping review identified 42 studies evaluating nine integrated blink-analysis technologies, with LipiView™ and IDRA the most frequently studied and dry eye disease the most commonly assessed condition. Increased partial blink rates were associated with ocular surface compromise, but substantial methodological heterogeneity and limited validation of measurement accuracy and diagnostic performance currently restrict clinical application.

【Title】Preclinical and clinical evaluation of an ocular nanoemulsion for the treatment of dry eye disease

【Journal】Expert Opin Drug Deliv

【Summary】This study evaluated a preservative-free nanoemulsion containing castor oil and sodium hyaluronate in a scopolamine-induced dry eye rat model and a randomized, double-masked clinical study involving 64 patients with moderate-to-severe dry eye disease. Mean tear film break-up time increased to 10.83 ± 1.5 seconds in rats by day 28 and from 4.26 ± 2.14 to 6.00 ± 2.93 seconds in patients by day 30; OSDI scores and meibomian gland expressibility and secretion quality also improved, with no serious adverse events reported. These findings suggest potential benefits for tear film stability and dry eye symptoms, warranting further evaluation.