Abstract: Embodiments of the technology developed are a non-contact air esthesiometer used for measuring corneal sensitivity. In certain embodiments, the apparatus takes the OKI DX-255 Basic Digital Fluid Dispenser and modifies it for use to produce a 2-second stream of room-temperature air directed at the center of a patient's cornea. The input to the device is a compressed air tank, IN which can be easily changed, connected to an inline filter. The output is a hose line connected to a valve that permits finer adjustments in airflow rate to a disposable 200-microliter-filter pipette tip. This outlet tip is secured with self-setting rubber and housed in a metal stand with horizontal and vertical travel that can be directly mounted to a standard slit lamp. Four red LED lights were placed around the air outflow that can be used for patient fixation and alignment on the central cornea.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure encompass methods of treating or preventing an autoimmune disease in an individual. In particular cases, methods comprise administering for delivery to an individual a composition of microbiota. In certain cases, the composition comprises a population of one or more microbiota capable of producing one or more short-chain fatty acids.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure concern methods and compositions that include a substrate that comprises at least one fluorophore in sufficient amounts and delivery of the substrate to an individual in need of treatment. In specific embodiments, a sufficient amount of fluorescein is provided on a contact lens, for example, and delivered to an individual suffering from blepharospasm.

Abstract: A therapeutics delivery system, and methods of making and using same, are disclosed for environments that rapidly clear any injected therapeutics, such as a patient's eye. The therapeutics delivery system releases the drug in a therapeutically effective concentration for a desired duration of time with a predefined drug kinetics. In one embodiment, the embodiments of the present disclosure release a therapeutically effective concentration for a longer time period than other delivery systems, for instance from a day to a week. Certain embodiments comprise a therapeutics dispensing device comprising a biodissolvable hydrogel matrix for long term drug release that allows the device to be placed directly at the injured site, e.g., onto the surface at or near the injury, and retained there rather than through injection, whether locally or systematically.

Abstract: A therapeutics delivery system, and methods of making and using same, are disclosed for environments that rapidly clear any injected therapeutics, such as a patient's eye. The therapeutics delivery system releases the drug in a therapeutically effective concentration for a desired duration of time with a predefined drug kinetics. In one embodiment, the embodiments of the present disclosure release a therapeutically effective concentration for a longer time period than other delivery systems, for instance from a day to a week. Certain embodiments comprise a therapeutics dispensing device comprising a biodissolvable hydrogel matrix for long term drug release that allows the device to be placed directly at the injured site, e.g., onto the surface at or near the injury, and retained there rather than through injection, whether locally or systematically.

Abstract: A therapeutics delivery system, and methods of making and using same, are disclosed for environments that rapidly clear any injected therapeutics, such as a patient's eye. The therapeutics delivery system releases the drug in a therapeutically effective concentration for a desired duration of time with a predefined drug kinetics. In one embodiment, the embodiments of the present disclosure release a therapeutically effective concentration for a longer time period than other delivery systems, for instance from a day to a week. Certain embodiments comprise a therapeutics dispensing device comprising a biodissolvable hydrogel matrix for long term drug release that allows the device to be placed directly at the injured site, e.g., onto the surface at or near the injury, and retained there rather than through injection, whether locally or systematically.

Abstract: The present invention concerns methods and compositions for treatment and determination of the presence or likelihood of an individual to have an ocular surface inflammation. In specific embodiments, a sample from the individual is assayed for the expression level of three or more genes, including IL-6, MMP3, MMP9, IFNy, SPRR-IA, HLA-DRA, MUC5AC, K7, and IL17A. Treatment is provided to an individual with ocular surface inflammation based upon the gene analysis.

Abstract: A method for treating a patient having meibomian gland disease, ocular irritation associated with delayed tear clearance, or recurrent corneal epithelial erosion, is disclosed. Preferably, the method concerns treatment of a patient with topical tetracycline, a derivative or analogue of tetracycline, or a chemically modified tetracycline (CMT). Oral administration of a CMT is also disclosed as part of the method for treating meibomian gland disease, ocular irritation associated with delayed tear clearance, or recurrent corneal epithelial erosion.

Abstract: A method for treating a patient having meibomian gland disease, ocular irritation associated with delayed tear clearance, or recurrent corneal epithelial erosion, is disclosed. Preferably, the method concerns treatment of a patient with topical tetracycline, a derivative or analogue of tetracycline, or a chemically modified tetracycline (CMT). Oral administration of a CMT is also disclosed as part of the method for treating meibomian gland disease, ocular irritation associated with delayed tear clearance, or recurrent corneal epithelial erosion.

Abstract: A method for treating a patient having meibomian gland disease, ocular irritation associated with delayed tear clearance, or recurrent corneal epithelial erosion, is disclosed. Preferably, the method concerns treatment of a patient with topical tetracycline, a derivative or analogue of tetracycline, or a chemically modified tetracycline (CMT). Oral administration of a CMT is also disclosed as part of the method for treating meibomian gland disease, ocular irritation associated with delayed tear clearance, or recurrent corneal epithelial erosion.

Abstract: A method for treating a patient having meibomian gland disease, ocular irritation associated with delayed tear clearance, or recurrent corneal epithelial erosion, is disclosed. Preferably, the method concerns treatment of a patient with topical tetracycline, a derivative or analogue of tetracycline, or a chemically modified tetracycline (CMT). Oral administration of a CMT is also disclosed as part of the method for treating meibomian gland disease, ocular irritation associated with delayed tear clearance, or recurrent corneal epithelial erosion.

Abstract: A process for improving the vision of a patient's eye, in which the patient's eye includes a cornea includes the step of instilling a bio-compatible material to the cornea of the eye, in which the bio-compatible material includes bio-compatible molecules and the cornea has a first composite refractive index and a first optical power. In addition, the bio-compatible molecules alter the first composite refractive index to a second composite refractive index and the first optical power to a second optical power. In another embodiment, a process for treating presbyopia of a patient's eye, in which the patient's eye includes a cornea, is described. The process includes the step of instilling a bio-compatible molecule to the cornea of the eye, in which the bio-compatible material includes bio-compatible molecules and the cornea has a first composite refractive index and a first optical power.

Abstract: A method for treating a patient having meibomian gland disease, ocular irritation associated with delayed tear clearance, or recurrent corneal epithelial erosion, is disclosed. Preferably, the method concerns treatment of a patient with topical tetracycline, a derivative or analogue of tetracycline, or a chemically modified tetracycline (CMT). Oral administration of a CMT is also disclosed as part of the method for treating meibomian gland disease, ocular irritation associated with delayed tear clearance, or recurrent corneal epithelial erosion.

Abstract: A method of evaluating clearance of fluorescein dye instilled into tear film having a greater sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing a tear film disorder as the cause of a patient's ocular irritation and ocular surface disease than can be achieved using the traditional methods. The inventive method can be performed using a diagnostic kit for evaluating tear fluorescence clearance in which the concentration of tear fluorescein is visually quantified via a color standard.

Abstract: A preservative-free composition containing an effective amount of a corticosteroid in an aqueous carrier to treat a dry eye condition. The composition may be provided as a part of a therapeutic regimen to treat a variety of dry eye conditions and ocular surface disorders manifesting delayed tear clearance previously not readily treatable. The composition may be packaged as containers of single dosage amounts of the corticosteroid-aqueous composition sufficient for pulsed-therapy of acute exacerbations of the irritation symptoms and ocular surface disease of conditions associated with dry eye and delayed tear clearance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to medicinal compositions and more particularly refers to such compositions for tear replacement therapy having products of human lacrimal gland acinar epithelia, and more specifically, growth factors or cytokines, in particular, the transforming growth factor beta (TGF.beta.).