"Read this story at  http The UAB News Studio http is available for live or taped interviews with UAB experts. Newswise  BIRMINGHAM Ala.  The Food and Drug Administration recently approved lifitegrast a new eye drop for treating signs and symptoms of dry eye in adult patients. Kelly Nichols https O.D. Ph.D. a dry eye expert and dean of the University of Alabama at Birmingham http School of Optometry https conducted research studies for the parent drug company to explore the efficacy and safety of lifitegrast in treating this eye condition that affects more than  million adults in the United States.  Inflammation associated with dry eye may eventually lead to damage to the surface of the eye. Dry eye is a common complaint to eye care professionals with millions of U.S. adults experiencing the symptoms of this often chronic disease Nichols said. It is critical for eye care professionals to have a dialogue with patients who report symptoms because dry eye can be a progressive ocular surface disease. The twicedaily eye drop solution of  percent lifitegrast ophthalmic solution is the only prescription eye drop indicated for the treatment of both signs and symptoms of dry eye and it is the first new dry eye prescription drop approved in the last  years.  Nichols and a team of researchers studied  patients of whom  received lifitegrast in four placebocontrolled week trials. Signs and symptoms were assessed at baseline and at weeks two six and .  In all four studies eye dryness was significantly reduced with two of the studies showing improvements at week two. Results from inferior corneal staining tests  used by physicians to detect abrasions on the cornea  showed improvement in three of the four studies.  Nichols continues to push for funding and advancement for dry eye research and treatment. Prior to FDA approval of the lifitegrast eye drop Nichols presented a congressional briefing in Washington D.C. addressing research into dry eye for the National Alliance for Eye and Vision Research. She focused on the cause and potential therapies for dry eye that are being funded through the National Eye Institute and in private industry.  Focusing her research on all aspects of the eye Nichols discussed the mechanics of the three layers of the tear film and the importance of each from the cornea outward Mucin layer helps tears adhere to the eye Aqueous layer or water layer nourishes and protects the cornea Lipid or oil layer lubricates and prevents evaporation and provides smooth refractive surface needed for optimal vision We are unsure which of the plus different lipids and plus unique proteins are most important for protecting and lubricating the eye and the absence or insufficiency of which results in dry eye Nichols said. There are more than plus new dry eye basic translational and clinical studies being funded by the NEINational Institutes of Health to further explore these lipids and proteins with more than  papers being published monthly. Funding from NIH is helping the optometry world make significant strides in understanding the cause and treatment of dry eye Nichols said. We still have a long way to go but prevention and early detection are major goals. There is hope for dry eye patients worldwide. Diagnosis of dry eye is identified by an eye care professional based on careful evaluation of signs and symptoms including dryness discomfort vision changes and damage to the surface of the eye. Specialty testing for dry eye is performed at the Dry Eye Relief Clinic at UAB Eye Care in the School of Optometry. About UABKnown for its innovative and interdisciplinary approach to education at both the graduate and undergraduate levels the University of Alabama at Birmingham is the state of Alabamas largest employer and an internationally renowned research university and academic medical center its professional schools and specialty patientcare programs are consistently ranked among the nations top . UABs Center for Clinical and Translational Science is advancing innovative discoveries for better health as a twotime recipient of the prestigious Center for Translational Science Award http Find more information at  http and  http EDITORS NOTE The University of Alabama at Birmingham is a separate independent institution from the University of Alabama which is located in Tuscaloosa. Please use University of Alabama at Birmingham on first reference and UAB on all subsequent references. VIDEO  http TEXT  http TWEETS  http"