Xerophthalmia

Xerophthalmia is a medical condition in which the eye fails to produce tears. It may be caused by a deficiency in vitamin A and is sometimes used to describe that lack, although there may be other causes.Xerophthalmia is a term that usually implies a destructive dryness of the conjunctival epithelium due to dietary vitamin A deficiency — a rare condition in developed countries, but still causing much damage in developing countries. Other forms of dry eye are associated with aging, poor lid closure, scarring from previous injury, or autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, and these can all cause chronic conjunctivitis.Xerophthalmia can be associated with systemic diseases such as Sjögren's syndrome, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, sarcoidosis, amyloidosis, and hypothyroidism; deficiency of vitamin A; and the use of some medications including antihistamines, nasal decongestants, tranquilizers, and anti-depressant drugs. Xerophthalmia results from inadequate function of the lacrimal glands which produce tears. When xerophthalmia is due to vitamin A deficiency, the condition begins with night blindness and conjunctival xerosis and progresses to corneal xerosis , and, in the late stages, to keratomalacia .The treatment depends on the cause. Artificial tears, which lubricate the eye, are the principal symptomatic treatment for dry eye. They are available over-the-counter as eye drops. Using humidifiers, wearing wrap-around glasses when outside, and avoiding outside windy and dry conditions may bring relief. For people with severe cases of dry eye, temporary or permanent closure of the tear drain may be helpful. Also known as conjunctivitis arida. (From the Wikpedia article Xerophthalmia.)

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Recent Publications on Xerophthalmia:
Sjogren's syndrome-onset lupus patients have distinctive clinical manifestations and benign prognosis: A case-control study. The objective of this study was to investigate the clinical...	11th November, 2009	Department of Rheumatology, Peking Union Medical College (PUMC) Hospital,	Lupus. 2009 Nov 9. DOI Direct Link
Chapter 29 Historical aspects of the major neurological vitamin deficiency disorders Overview and fat-soluble vitamin A. The vitamine doctrine: Although diseases resulting from vitamin...	7th November, 2009		Handb Clin Neurol. 2009;95:435-44. DOI Direct Link
Ocular surface injuries in autoimmune dry eye. The severity of microscopical disturbances goes parallel with the severity of symptoms of dryness. Autoimmune dry eye (Sjogren's syndrome, SS) is a chronic systemic disease...	5th November, 2009	Department of Eye Histochemistry and Pharmacology, Institute of	Histol Histopathol. 2009 Oct;24(10):1357-65.
[Observation on therapeutic effect of runmushu oral liquid in treating xerophthalmia in postmenopausal women] OBJECTIVE: To objectively evaluate the therapeutic effect and safety of...	27th October, 2009	Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing.	Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 2009 Jul;29(7):646-9.
Diagnosis of vitamin A deficiency from its ocular manifestations in a British patient. PURPOSE:: Retrospective review describing the 40-year University of...	23rd October, 2009		Can J Ophthalmol. 2009 Oct;44(5):e43.
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BioNews Results for Xerophthalmia:
What Is Dry Eye Syndrome? What Causes Dry Eye Syndrome?	Medical News Today:  Nov 12 2009 6:26PM Matching: xerophthalmia
Medical News: What Is Dry Eye Syndrome? What Causes Dry Eye Syndrome?	BioFind:  Nov 12 2009 4:46PM Matching: xerophthalmia

Xerophthalmia Clinical Trials:
Safety and Efficacy of Pimecrolimus Ophthalmic Suspension in Patients With Moderate to Severe Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca

Xerophthalmia Patents:
US Patent No.	Title
6339101	N-linked sulfonamides of N-heterocyclic carboxylic acids or isosteres for vision and memory disorders
6506377	Interferon-alpha mediated upregulation of aquaporin expression
6506788	N-linked urea or carbamate of heterocyclic thioesters for vision and memory disorders
6544764	Isolated human dehydrogenase proteins, nucleic acid molecules encoding these human dehydrogenase proteins, and uses thereof
6562378	Nutritional supplement for adolescents
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BioPortfolio Ltd. offers e-mail and postal lists for Xerophthalmia scientists - we have details of around 125 individuals working on Xerophthalmia .