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

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

PMC · DOI: 10.3390/jcm15041651 · Journal of Clinical Medicine · 2026-02-22

## TL;DR

This paper reviews strategies to manage eye-related side effects from Dupilumab in atopic dermatitis patients to improve treatment persistence.

## Contribution

The paper introduces structured risk stratification and monitoring protocols to manage Dupilumab-related ocular surface disease.

## Key findings

- Conjunctivitis is a common early sign of DROSD in atopic dermatitis patients.
- Ocular symptoms often lead to treatment dissatisfaction and discontinuation.
- Late-onset ocular issues can occur up to 12 months after Dupilumab initiation.

## Abstract

Background/Objectives: 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. Methods: 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. Results: 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. Conclusions: 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.

## Linked entities

- **Diseases:** atopic dermatitis (MONDO:0004980), conjunctivitis (MONDO:0003799)

## Full-text entities

- **Genes:** IL4R (interleukin 4 receptor) [NCBI Gene 3566] {aka CD124, IL-4RA, IL4RA}, IL4 (interleukin 4) [NCBI Gene 3565] {aka BCGF-1, BCGF1, BSF-1, BSF1, IL-4}, IL13 (interleukin 13) [NCBI Gene 3596] {aka IL-13, P600}, mucin [NCBI Gene 100508689]
- **Diseases:** lid oedema (MESH:C536897), infection (MESH:D007239), dry eye (MESH:D015352), toxicity (MESH:D064420), photophobia (MESH:D020795), chronic conjunctivitis (MESH:D003231), keratitis (MESH:D007634), eczema (MESH:D004485), AD (MESH:D003876), allergic eye disease (MESH:D005128), blepharitis (MESH:D001762), infectious (MESH:D003141), MGD (MESH:D000080343), corneal involvement (MESH:C537363), irritation (MESH:D001523), DAOSD (MESH:D010534), ocular pain (MESH:D058447), injury to (MESH:D014947), allergic inflammation (MESH:D007249), pain (MESH:D010146), vision change (MESH:D014786), AKC (MESH:D007637), Conjunctival hyperaemia (MESH:D003229)
- **Chemicals:** DAOSD (-), Dupilumab (MESH:C582203)
- **Species:** Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606]

## Full text

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## Figures

2 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12942636/full.md

## References

41 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12942636/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12942636