Dry eye syndrome (DES) is a prevalent condition estimated to affect between 5-30% of the population aged 50 and older. DES is associated with significant morbidity as its symptoms of irritation, foreign body sensation, and blurred vision can affect the ability to work and carry out activities of daily living. Given its high prevalence and significant morbidity, research is greatly needed in the field to understand disease mechanisms and develop new therapies. However, DES research has been hindered by the lack of a gold standard definition for disease. Furthermore, given the multifocal nature of DES, which is caused by abnormalities in tear production, lipid quality, eyelid anatomy, and environmental considerations, to name a few, the study of disease mechanisms remains challenging.

We invite investigators to contribute original research articles as well as review articles that will stimulate the continuing efforts to understand disease mechanisms in dry eye syndrome, the development of therapies to treat these conditions, and the implementation of technologies to assess the “status” of the ocular surface and thereby improve disease diagnosis and the ability to monitor treatment effect. Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

• New tools in the diagnosis of dry eye syndrome
• Latest technologies for clinical evaluation and measuring outcomes
• Potential biomarkers for disease
• Role of inflammation based on underlying disease process (aqueous tear deficiency and lipid tear deficiency)
• Role of noninflammatory proteins based on underlying disease process
• Dry eye disease mechanism using model systems
• Tear film composition in normal and diseased states
• Advances in the treatment of dry eye syndrome

Before submission authors should carefully read over the journal's Author Guidelines, which are located at http://www.tswj.com/guidelines/. Prospective authors should submit an electronic copy of their complete manuscript through the journal Manuscript Tracking System at http://mts.tswj.com/submit/ophthalmology/desd/ according to the following timetable: