Ocular Surface Disease and the Tear Film Ocular surface disease (OSD) is a global public
health problem with significant impact on quality of life. The ocular surface is a specialised
tissue extending from the mucocutaneous junction at the eyelid margin, into the natural
gutter (inverse pillar) between the eyelid and eyeball (conjunctival fornix), to the limbus
(housing the corneal stem cells) and the cornea (the transparent window in front of the eye).
It comprises the surface and glandular epithelia of the cornea, conjunctiva, lacrimal gland …

Serum eye drops (SED) are a useful adjunctive treatment for patients with severe ocular
surface disease (OSD), especially those with a compromised tear film. Serum contains a
large number of epitheliotrophic factors that are present in tears. These factors are likely to
be responsible for the therapeutic benefits observed with SED therapy compared to
conventional commercially available ocular lubricants. Prescribed and over-the-counter tear
substitutes primarily alleviate symptoms through reduction of friction and shear-forces …