The use of slow-release artificial tears in the long-term management of keratitis sicca.

Fifty-eight patients with keratitis sicca were enrolled in a long-term study to test the effectiveness of slow-release artificial tears (SRAT). The average follow up period of 39 weeks, with a range of 9 to 136 weeks. Forty-six (79%) are still being followed. Almost all of these patients have had marked relief from their symptoms and a significant decrease in corneal abnormalities. The high rate of success in this patient population was probably due in large part to patient selection, that is, patients were quite symptomatic and had been symptomatic for an average of three years prior to entering this study. For patients with fairly severe keratitis sicca for whom artificial tears alone are insufficient, SRAT offers an important and practical means of markedly decreasing symptoms and improving vision with ony minor side effects.