Scientist studies dry eye disease in women

Columbus, Ohio -- The U.S. National Institutes of Health has given an Ohio State University optometrist nearly $1.7 million to study dry eye disease in postmenopausal women.

Kelly Nichols, the grant's lead investigator and an associate professor of optometry, said her team will study 500 women, age 50 or older, during the next five years in one of the largest studies focusing on the causes of dry eye disease, which affects nearly 12 million U.S. citizens.

The study will focus on women, since the disease is two to three times more common in females, particularly women who have reached menopause.

"We want to gain a better understanding of the factors associated with dry eye in postmenopausal women, and figure out the underlying causes of the disease," Nichols said.

Dry eye disease is a collection of irritating symptoms that includes microscopic damage to the front of the eye. The current primary treatment relies on over-the-counter eye drops called "artificial tears."

The research will be guided by Nichols, with assistance from Professors Rebecca Jackson and Peter King-Smith, Assistant Professor Jason Nichols and research scientist Kari Green-Church.

Copyright 2007 by United Press International.