Dry Eye Disease

Dry eye is one of the most frequently encountered ocular disorders that affects millions of people worldwide, and dry-eye symptoms are among the most common reasons for patients to visit eye-care professionals. In the past decade, there has been a noticeable increase in interest and attempts to elucidate underlying mechanisms of dry eye. Perhaps the most publicized efforts have come from two reports: International Dry Eye Workshop (2007) and International Workshop on Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (2011).1,2 The field has attracted considerable research interest since these landmark reports, and there have been changes and advances in our understanding of this enigmatic ocular condition in the past 5 years. Optometry and Vision Science (OVS) intends to bring recent study results and clinical perspectives together in a single publication in 2015, with an esteemed team of Guest Editors (Penny A. Asbell, Todd P. Margolis, Nancy A. McNamara, Jason J. Nichols, Kelly K. Nichols, and Kenneth A. Polse, with Meng C. Lin as the lead Guest Editor). We anticipate that there will be great interest in this publication among clinicians and both basic and clinical scientists. The following are among the topics of interest: Definitions of dry eye and changes in recent years Natural history of dry eye Mechanisms of tear-film stability and dry eye Effects of contact lenses on ocular surface integrity and dry eye Genetic and environmental factors in dry eye Dysfunctional corneal pain system and dry eye Sjögren syndrome: dry eye and beyond Aqueous deficiency and evaporation, and meibomian gland dysfunction as mechanisms in dry eye Recent breakthroughs in dry-eye diagnosis, management, and treatment Post DEWS (2007)1and Meibomian GlandWorkshop (2011)2advances in understanding dry eye Systemic and ocular drug impacts with the ocular surface that produce dry eyes The window of opportunity for manuscript submission is August 1, 2014, through February 1, 2015. Early submissions are encouraged; they have priority dates for E-publication (soon after the authors correct the first proofs; the OVS Web site is http://journals.lww.com/optvissci/). All papers accepted in the peer review process will be published in OVS in a timely fashion, but the actual selection of those for the Feature Issue will be a separate decision by the Guest Editor team and the Editor in Chief. Anticipated publication date for the Feature Issue is August 2015. All manuscripts will be peer reviewed and must be submitted online at http://ovs.edmgr.com. Submissions must be prepared according to the Instructions for Authors available at http://edmgr.ovid.com/ovs/accounts/ifauth.htm. During submission, in the “Author’s Comments” box, note that your paper is being submitted for consideration of this Feature Issue. Meng C. Lin, the lead Guest Editor, will coordinate manuscripts with the Editor in Chief and Managing Editor. Contact the Editorial Office ([email protected]) for any questions.