Dry Eye

Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are devices designed to deliver nicotine in a solution rather than smoke without tobacco combustion. Perceived by consumers as a safer alternative to conventional cigarettes, e-cigarettes are aggressively marketed as lifestyle-choice consumables.

As ODs, we are fully aware of the challenge patient compliance with prescribed eye drops. To assuage the battle of compliance, eye drop manufacturers are assiduously working to devise drug delivery systems that reduce or eliminate patients’ engagement in the instillation of their prescribed therapy. But until ODs no longer use eye drops, drops remain our primary mode of drug delivery.

To understand how far we have come, you must remember where we started.

A poor ocular surface is a common condition in glaucoma patients due to the incidence of dry eye, age, and use of benzalkonium chloride (BAK). Poor compliance with glaucoma therapy can result. Use of point-of-care testing can help identify patients with a poor ocular surface and drive treatment decisions. Treatment options, including surgical, are discussed.

Neurostimulation could be the “next big thing” in dry eye disease (DED). A new neurostimulation device called TrueTear (Allergan) is a patient-directed, non-pharmacologic option.

With great anticipation, the updated report of the TFOS Dry Eye WorkShop (DEWS II) was released last week. The first DEWS report was released in 2007.

So much basic science research is presented at this meeting, and most of it will be years before it makes its way to clinical trials. Let’s concentrate on research that might be of use to us in the exam room very soon.

Scott Schachter, OD, discusses dry eye and how incorporating a dry eye checklist may help improve patient treatment.

Optometry Times Editorial Advisory Board members Leslie E. O’Dell. OD, FAAO, and Scott Hauswirth, OD, FAAO, discuss their recent lecture on inflammation and the role it plays in ocular surface diseases at the American Optometric Association’s Optometry’s Meeting in Washington, DC.

https://www.optometrytimes.com/modern-medicine-cases/new-player-point-care-allergy-testingODs undervalue ocular point-of-care tear testing

Improve your scleral fitting skills and your patients’ quality of life

The British Contact Lens Association (BCLA) celebrated its 40th birthday June 9-11 at its 2017 clinical conference and exhibition in Liverpool, UK. Optometry Times was there to hear the latest and live tweet from the meeting.

At every age we need adequate, uninterrupted sleep for optimal, wakeful functioning. Insufficient sleep is associated with a number of chronic diseases and conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and depression.

What is this age-defying modern technology that a young, nonmedical professional is applying to her face? It is a YAG laser combined with an intense pulse light (IPL).

David Kading, OD, FAAO, FCLSA, discusses new products, studies, and patient education available to help combat dry eye disease.

Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) may be misdiagnosed. While MGD is one of the most common chronic ocular conditions, diagnosing MGD isn’t as simple as it seems.

For the patient, perhaps the most significant symptom of DED is fluctuating or reduced vision.

Mom has pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PXF) clinically visible in both eyes. She experiences pops of elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) in one eye and uses glaucoma medications.

A little over 18 months ago, I decided to follow my passion and take a leap of faith changing my career. I went from a bustling MD/OD group practice to a private group OD practice and launched the Dry Eye Center of Pennsylvania (PA).

Do you reach first for warm compresses or lid scrubs? What about antibiotics? Weigh in!

Prepare your patient by assessing and treating the ocular surface

Recently, much discussion has taken place within the dry eye community regarding the role of punctal plugs in the treatment of dry eye.

SBS signs similar to dry eye

Before the new year gets too far along, let’s take a brief look at the happenings in the pages of Optometry Times during 2016.

The ocular surface encompasses not only the cornea, but the all-important supporting conjunctiva that is divided into the bulbar, limbal, palpebral, forneaceal, and marginal zones.

In the past when you thought of Jennifer Aniston, the girl-next-door character Rachel from Friends would come to mind.

A day in the life of a female patient provides clues that can help