ODs reach for artificial tears first to treat dry eye

July 17, 2019

Gretchyn M. Bailey, NCLC, FAAO, Editor in Chief, Content Channel Director

In a poll fielded on the Optometry Times website, we asked ODs what treatment option they choose first when managing dry eye patients.

View the poll here

A total of 185 responses were tallied. The multiple-choice poll answers included:

• Amniotic membrane
• Artificial tears
• IPL
• Lid therapy
• Meibomian gland device treatments (LipiFlow, BlephEx, iLux, NuLlids)
• Nasal stimulation devices (True Tear)
• Punctal plugs
• Rx drops (Restasis, Xiidra)
• Steroids

The majority of respondents look to artificial tears to treat dry eye with 66 percent choosing them first.

Lid therapy was second choice, but the choice was not close. Only 17 percent of respondents look to address the lids first.

After another sharp drop, Rx drops come in third with 8 percent of respondents opting for this therapy to begin treatment.

Meibomian gland device treatments are fourth with 5 percent of ODs, then steroids and punctal plugs tie for fifth place with 2 percent of respondents.

IPL hits seventh place with only 1 percent of ODs choosing this option first.

Amniotic membrane and nasal stimulation tie for last place with 0 votes for them.