Improving Ocular Surface and Eyelid Health in the Here and Now is organized by Healio, Vindico Medical Education
Release Date: November 30, 2023
Expiration Date: November 29, 2024
Activity Description:
The global prevalence of ocular surface disease (OSD) is high. Specifically, the prevalence of global dry eye disease (DED) ranges from 5% to 50%, with estimates in the United States ranging from 5% to 15%. It increases with age and time, but the true prevalence is unknown because the condition is notoriously underdiagnosed. Several factors are responsible for the increased risk of OSD, including the use of certain medications. Separately, and additively, the eyelid margin is important, and its essential role in the health and integrity of the ocular surface and the preocular tear film are currently underestimated. Lid margin disease (meibomian gland dysfunction [MGD], or blepharitis) can lead to DED or OSD and may also be misdiagnosed or exacerbate other comorbid external diseases. Anterior blepharitis associated with Demodex mite infestation is challenging to treat because there are no approved therapies, and the currently recommended treatment approaches provide only suboptimal outcomes. Myriad treatments are available or emerging for conditions that negatively impact the ocular surface and the lid margin. However, accurate diagnosis is crucial to ensure early administration of optimal therapies. This educational activity has been designed to review best practices for accurate diagnosis of OSD and MGD as well as the current and emerging therapies for these disorders.
Learning Objectives:
Upon successful completion of this activity, participants should be better able to:
• Recognize the burden that ocular surface disease and associated eyelid disorders pose to patients’ overall ocular health.
• List diagnostic modalities that can improve the early detection of ocular surface disease and associated eyelid disorders.
• Identify therapies that have proven to be safe and effective for the treatment of ocular surface disease and associated eyelid disorders.