Integrated care framework proposed for patients with dry eye disease and depression

Integrated mind-body paradigm could help bridge disciplinary gaps, support more precise treatment selection, and promote holistic, patient-centered care for individuals affected by both dry eye disease (DED) and depression, according to a new perspective article.

According to the authors, the lack of coordinated management frameworks for DED and depression has created challenges in clinical care, especially when it comes to treatment sequencing. They suggest that management of this comorbidity should be based on shared underlying mechanisms, including neurogenic inflammation and dysfunction of the eye-brain axis.

The article outlines a comprehensive approach that incorporates stratified phenotypic assessment, a stepwise therapeutic ladder, and a dynamic treatment optimization strategy that accounts for the bidirectional biological and psychological interactions between the conditions.

Reference
Yang TD, Wu CL, Li XJ, et al. Integrated management of dry eye-depression comorbidity: mechanistic insights and temporal therapeutic strategies. Front Med (Lausanne). 2026;13:1829273. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2026.1829273. PMID: 42311890; PMCID: PMC13270261.