Corticosteroids for DED flares: safe, effective

Dry eye disease (DED) is a multifactorial condition. The Tear Film & Ocular Surface Society Dry Eye Workshop (TFOS DEWS) II report emphasized that the central mechanism of the disease is the loss of homeostatic tear film balance, which ultimately leads to dry eye’s key etiology, inflammation.¹

The pathophysiology of DED is such that aqueous deficient and evaporative dry eye exist as a continuum; therefore, elements of each are considered in overall diagnosis and management.

In clinical practice, we see patients who have chronic dry eye as well as those who experience dry eye flares or an acute episodic worsening of symptoms owing to a variety of triggers.^2-10

As our understanding has broadened regarding the nuances of the ocular surface disease (OSD) spectrum, it is becoming clear that patients with underlying chronic DED may experience acute flares and those without chronic dry eye may also suffer from flares alone.^1,11,12 Inflammatory spikes of acute exacerbation occur in about 8 out of 10 dry eye patients, and about half of DED patients experience flares without continuous symptoms between 4 to 6 times per year.^13-16

One of the most common triggers of acute dry eye flares in my patients is seasonal allergies, which set off inflammation and can lead to the uptick in subsequent signs and symptoms of DED. In some cases, the increased dryness stems from the systemic medications patients are taking to control their allergy symptoms.

Other triggers of acute dry eye flares include contact lens overuse, increased screen time, mask wear, autoimmune disease such as rheumatoid arthritis or psoriasis, and direct forced air from heating and cooling vents.^2-10

Root of the problem

Inflammation is associated with an upregulation of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 along with matrix metalloproteinases, chemokines, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and interleukins (such as IL-1,6, and 8) in the epithelial cells of conjunctival and lacrimal tissues.^17,18

These enzymes and inflammatory cells activate the inflammatory cascades inclusive of T-cell proliferation, which mediates a neurosensory response leading to the discomfort and irritation that patients experience.

The most important aspect of symptom control is getting to the root of the problem—especially in those patients with chronic disease. This means a thorough examination and workup that includes evaluating meibomian gland function, tear production, eyelid closure functionality, and the status of the lacrimal functional unit.

Ultimately, we need to proactively attack inflammation by treating the underlying condition causing the inflammation.

For our patients with both chronic dry eye and those experiencing dry eye flares regardless of chronicity, we aim for calming the inflammation before it spirals out of control. Enter topical corticosteroids, the onboarding of which is particularly useful for alleviating symptoms.

I will use a steroid in conjunction with starting a chronic medication such as cyclosporine, lifitegrast, or varenicline when indicated. Because the inflammatory cascade has already been activated, it is essential that I quell the inflammation that has flared up and is causing the increase in the patients’ signs and symptoms (Figure).

Safety, efficacy supported by large body of data

Steroids exert their effect by inhibiting upstream phospholipase A2. They block both the cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase pathways of the inflammatory cascade, preventing formation of eicosanoids.

The agents have been shown to inhibit inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, adhesion molecules, and other inflammatory mediators.^19,20 Some practitioners, however, may still be hesitant to prescribe corticosteroids for DED and other inflammatory ocular conditions because of concerns over side effects such as IOP increase and cataract formation.^21,22

Corticosteroids’ safety and efficacy is well documented, specifically in reference to esters such as loteprednol etabonate, which was designed to undergo rapid metabolism.^23-28

It has been shown that, in the general adult population, about one-third of people will be moderate steroid responders, experiencing IOP elevations of 6 to 15 mmHg from baseline, and 4% to 6% will be high responders, experiencing IOP elevations > 15 mmHg from baseline after 4 to 6 weeks of topical dexamethasone and/or betamethasone corticosteroid therapy.²⁹

Steroid responders usually have predisposing factors such as a family history of glaucoma, connective tissue disease, age, diabetes mellitus, or high myopia.^30,31 It is important to remember, however, that corticosteroids are backed by a plethora of research that has shown them to be effective and safe for short-term use in appropriate patients.

Today, we have an on-label topical corticosteroid specifically designed and FDA approved for the short term, up to 2 weeks, treatment of the signs and symptoms of DED—loteprednol etabonate ophthalmic suspension 0.25% (Eysuvis; ALCON).

This opens the door to give us more confidence when reaching for a steroid such as Eysuvis to manage dry eye flares. Furthermore, what separates this solution from the rest of the steroid crowd is the novel formulation utilizing Ampplify, Kala’s proprietary mucus-penetrating particle technology.

Nanoparticles of ~300 nm in diameter are coated to facilitate their penetration through the mucus barrier. This controlled delivery system enables the drop to spread more uniformly across the ocular surface.

From my clinical experience and careful review of Eysuvis data, the safety profile is extremely reassuring. Loteprednol etabonate ophthalmic suspension 0.25% was studied in more than 2,800 DED patients, and the drop was well tolerated with a low incidence of IOP increase that was similar to vehicle.

In treatment and vehicle groups respectively, 0.2% and 0% of subjects experienced a ≥ 10 mm Hg increase from baseline resulting in an IOP measurement of ≥ 21 mm Hg at any post-baseline visit up to 29 days.^32-34

For practitioners who formerly had any hesitancy regarding corticosteroid use, I would say they can prescribe loteprednol etabonate ophthalmic suspension 0.25% with confidence, as it is an on-label indication supported by efficacy and safety data. I have found it to work quickly with symptom improvement starting within 48 to 72 hours, and it is a comfortable for patients to instill.

Evolution of flares conversation

Recently my discussion around acute flares of DED’s signs and symptoms has changed. We now realize that the idea of patients experiencing exacerbations makes much more sense than assuming all patients have chronic dry eye. Even my chronic dry eye patients come in at least 2 to 3 times a year, saying, “Hey, all of a sudden my eyes are worse.”

I now ask patients questions around their lifestyle to find out more about what may be triggering their dry eye flare. I let them know that having times when their symptoms get worse is normal, and I reassure them that, with treatment, the eye will calm down.

Additionally, I arm my patients by educating them that they can keep the medication on hand to use during a future flare. As part of my protocol, I see patients back to check their pressures two weeks after I start a new steroid such as Eysuvis.

Once I have IOP readings while on topical steroid in my record, I discuss with the patient that may use the topical steroid it if they have another dry eye flare twice a day for up to 2 weeks. If their symptoms do not get better or become worse, I make sure they know to call immediately. If their symptom exacerbations begin happening more often, I inform them that we need to reevaluate.

Conclusion

It is important not to minimize the side effects and risks of any medication, but rather to understand the reality and face them head on. Eye care practitioners must be diligent in their comprehensive workup of patients with OSD and identify the root cause of patients’ signs and symptoms.

Being confident in the diagnosis ensures that we are prescribing appropriate, on-target therapies that alleviate suffering. We must recognize that the majority of OSD patients have mixed mechanisms at work.

I am careful to look, lift, push, and pull the lids, examine the meibomian glands themselves, and perform meibography. Remember that both mask-associated dry eye and increased screen time are contributing to many patients’ symptoms, along with bacterial overgrowth and blepharitis.³⁵

In most patients, the benefits of topical corticosteroids far outweigh the risks. With Eysuvis carrying an on-label FDA approved indication for the short-term treatment of the signs and symptoms of DED, there is more reason than ever to think of steroids first when patients experience present and future dry eye flares.

References

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