Objective:

To explore the critical role of mucins in dry eye disease and the potential for innovative therapeutic options targeting mucin dysfunction.

Key Findings:

• Mucins are critical for maintaining tear film integrity and ocular surface health, and their dysfunction can exacerbate dry eye disease.
• Damage to goblet cells can lead to altered mucus quality, contributing to dry eye disease and complicating treatment options.
• There is a pressing need for better pharmaceutical options targeting mucin quality and quantity to improve patient outcomes.

Interpretation:

Understanding mucin dysfunction in dry eye disease may lead to innovative therapies that improve patient outcomes.

Limitations:

• Current topical secretagogues are not available in the U.S., limiting treatment options for patients.
• Oral secretagogues may have systemic side effects, which could deter their use in managing dry eye disease.

Conclusion:

As research on mucins progresses, new therapeutic strategies may emerge to enhance mucin function and alleviate dry eye symptoms, highlighting the need for urgent exploration in this area.