Clinical Consultations™: Redefining Dry Eye Disease - Focusing on the Tear Film: Stability, Diagnosis, Homeostasis, & COVID-19 Considerations in DED

Target Audience

This online educational activity is directed toward ophthalmologists and optometrists who care for patients affected by dry eye disease (DED). Other health care providers involved in the care of patients with DED are also invited to participate.

Activity Overview

Dry eye disease (DED) affects about 7% of the US population, and if left untreated, can affect vision and negatively impact quality of life. Eye care experts in DED have recently developed a new definition of DED intended for use worldwide and aimed at providing eye care professionals with a practical tool to help diagnose DED precisely and consistently, using devices already available in the clinic. In this program, two ophthalmologists who specialize in DED review the increasing prevalence of this disease in the digital era and examine the impact of COVID-19 and mask-wearing on its incidence. They also discuss steps in the diagnosis of DED, available and emerging therapies, both devices and pharmacologic agents, and provide expert advice on selecting treatment and counseling patients diagnosed with DED.

Learning Objectives

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

• Assess the role of tear film stability within dry eye disease pathophysiology, diagnosis, and as a target for treatment options
• Evaluate mechanisms, efficacy, and safety data for emerging mechanical and pharmacological treatments which target tear film homeostasis
• Recognize the impact of increased digital device use to the COVID-19 pandemic on the prevalence of DED
• Assess the impact COVID-19 may have on visitations to the clinic by reluctant patients and appropriate permissions for pharmaceutical representative appointments