Dry Eye Disease and Meibomian Gland Dysfunction: Early Diagnosis and Comprehensive Management

Target Audience

This activity has been designed to meet the educational needs of ophthalmologists, optometrists, primary care physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants.

Program Overview

Dry eye disease (DED) is one of the most common ophthalmic complaints; it results from the activity of various pathways and is considered a multifactorial disease. An important factor that contributes to the onset of DED is meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), which causes a disruption in the tear film lipid layer and affects the rate of tear evaporation. As such, DED and MGD are strongly associated with each other, such that many of their risk factors, signs, and symptoms overlap. In this educational podcast, join our expert faculty, Eric D. Donnenfeld, MD, as he reviews the clinically meaningful association between DED and MGD, and provides evidence-based recommendations on best practices for assessment, diagnosis, and management.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this activity, learners should be better able to:

• REVIEW the recommended processes in diagnosis and management of DED and MGD
• DISCUSS the appropriate diagnostic protocol to accurately identify both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients with early DED and MGD
• LIST the variety of pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic treatment options for the management of patients with DED and MGD

Agenda: (30-Minute podcast)

• Introduction and MGD/DED Patient Scenario
• Etiology, Presentation, Assessment
• Evidence-Based Diagnostic Protocol (appropriate tests, assessment tools)
• Pharmacologic and Nonpharmacologic Management of DED and MGD
• Emerging Pipeline Therapies
• Key Takeaway Messages/Conclusion