Current and Future Therapy of Ocular Surface Disease

Editorial Current and Future Therapy of Ocular Surface Disease his issue of The Ocular Surface (TOS) provides a broad perspective of ocular surface disease and evaluation of possible therapies. In Laboratory Science, Dr. Mohan and colleagues discuss corneal gene therapy, one of the new horizons in manipulation of the ocular surface. They address both the basic science and some translational perspective regarding this novel approach. In Clinical Science, Dr Runström and colleagues explore the multifactorial nature of variation in tear albumin levels. They identify a diurnal pattern that needs to be considered in future clinical studies. In Clinical Practice, Dr. Alves and colleagues provide a systematic review and critical appraisal of published trials in dry eye therapy. Standard and evolving therapies are identified and critiqued. In an Original Research article, Dr. Girolamo and colleagues communicate the role of matrix metalloproteinases and their inhibitors in pathogenesis of squamous cell carcinoma of the conjunctiva. Their observations suggest future options for adjuvant therapy of squamous cell carcinoma of the ocular surface. Dr. Murube provides an overview of the development of fluorescein stain and the evolution of its role in examination of the tear film and ocular surface disease. This Sources in Time review serves as an excellent introduction to future reviews describing the molecular basis of ocular surface staining, as well as a clinical perspective on present applications. In Pipeline, Dr. Novack’s insightful interpretation of the Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act is highly provocative and informative, addressing recent modifications of both organization and funding of drug development and registration procedures. It has been a year and a half since the ownership of TOS moved to Elsevier. The administrative transition and conversion to electronic manuscript submission and peer review has been completed, and the system is functioning well. The distribution and access to the journal content has been expanded through the multiple Elsevier platforms, and citations of TOS articles continue to increase. The content is expanding through inclusion of high quality original research articles, but TOS remains a dedicated review journal. The quality of the journal is evidenced by a persistently high impact factor. We are grateful to the authors, editors, and reviewers who contribute to the success of TOS, and we are enthusiastic about the journal’s future role in providing valuable information to the ocular surface community. In closing, it is with great sadness that I advise of the death of S. Arthur Boruchoff, MD, who was a cherished and respected colleague for many years. Arthur died May 28, 2013, at age 88, after a long and distinguished career in private practice and at Harvard Medical School in Boston, MA. He was Professor of Ophthalmology at Boston University Medical School until his retirement and was an encouraging mentor to numerous cornea fellows and ophthalmology residents at both Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary and Boston University. He will be well remembered and greatly missed.

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Gary N. Foulks, MD Editor-in-Chief

THE OCULAR SURFACE / JULY 2013, VOL. 11 NO. 3 / www.theocularsurface.com

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