Dupilumab-Related Ocular Surface Disease in Atopic Dermatitis: Risk Stratification, Monitoring, and Persistence-Preserving Management

<b>Background/Objectives</b>: Dupilumab-related ocular surface disease (DROSD) is a significant safety challenge in atopic dermatitis (AD) management, potentially leading to treatment interruption despite cutaneous efficacy. This narrative review evaluates risk stratification and management strategies to standardize monitoring and preserve long-term drug persistence. <b>Methods</b>: A search of PubMed/MEDLINE was conducted from inception to 31 December 2025. Evidence was synthesized from clinical trials, pooled safety analyses, and real-world registries, focusing on risk factors, monitoring tools, and interdisciplinary management algorithms for DROSD in AD populations. <b>Results</b>: Clinical trials identify conjunctivitis as a reproducible, context-dependent signal enriched in AD populations. Real-world data highlight that ocular symptoms disproportionately drive treatment dissatisfaction and discontinuation. Clinical vigilance must extend throughout the treatment course; while many cases appear early, a significant proportion develops between 8-16 weeks, with late-onset manifestations reported up to 12 months after initiation. Effective management relies on baseline risk documentation-including prior ocular history and AD phenotype-and the implementation of stepwise, severity-based "treat-through" protocols. <b>Conclusions</b>: Managing DROSD is a critical strategy for maintaining treatment persistence. Integration of routine baseline risk capture, continuous symptom surveillance, and structured multidisciplinary escalation pathways is essential to maximize ocular safety and long-term therapeutic outcomes in AD.

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Publication Details

Journal
Journal of Clinical Medicine
Published
2026-02-22
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15041651
Primary Topic
Dermatology and Skin Diseases
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
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article

Dupilumab-Related Ocular Surface Disease in Atopic Dermatitis: Risk Stratification, Monitoring, and Persistence-Preserving Management

Federica Macchi, Zeno Fratton, Vincenzo Maione, Stefano Bighetti et al.
Journal of Clinical Medicine
Dermatology and Skin Diseases
article

Dupilumab-Related Ocular Surface Disease in Atopic Dermatitis: Risk Stratification, Monitoring, and Persistence-Preserving Management

Federica Macchi, Zeno Fratton, Vincenzo Maione, Stefano Bighetti, Luca Bettolini, Marco Ferrari, Andrea Carugno, Marina Venturini, Mario Valenti, Mariateresa Rossi, Carlo Alberto Maronese, Nicola Zerbinati, Piergiacomo Calzavara-Pinton
article en

Abstract

<b>Background/Objectives</b>: Dupilumab-related ocular surface disease (DROSD) is a significant safety challenge in atopic dermatitis (AD) management, potentially leading to treatment interruption despite cutaneous efficacy. This narrative review evaluates risk stratification and management strategies to standardize monitoring and preserve long-term drug persistence. <b>Methods</b>: A search of PubMed/MEDLINE was conducted from inception to 31 December 2025. Evidence was synthesized from clinical trials, pooled safety analyses, and real-world registries, focusing on risk factors, monitoring tools, and interdisciplinary management algorithms for DROSD in AD populations. <b>Results</b>: Clinical trials identify conjunctivitis as a reproducible, context-dependent signal enriched in AD populations. Real-world data highlight that ocular symptoms disproportionately drive treatment dissatisfaction and discontinuation. Clinical vigilance must extend throughout the treatment course; while many cases appear early, a significant proportion develops between 8-16 weeks, with late-onset manifestations reported up to 12 months after initiation. Effective management relies on baseline risk documentation-including prior ocular history and AD phenotype-and the implementation of stepwise, severity-based "treat-through" protocols. <b>Conclusions</b>: Managing DROSD is a critical strategy for maintaining treatment persistence. Integration of routine baseline risk capture, continuous symptom surveillance, and structured multidisciplinary escalation pathways is essential to maximize ocular safety and long-term therapeutic outcomes in AD.

Journal of Clinical MedicineVol. 15(4)
University of Insubria (IT), University of Udine (IT), Vita-Salute San Raffaele University (IT), University of Milan (IT), Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico (IT), Azienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriale degli Spedali Civili di Brescia (IT), Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IT), IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital (IT), Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico San Raffaele (IT), University of Brescia (IT)
Good health and well-being
Openalex Percentile: Top 46%
Dermatology and Skin Diseases
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