The Dry Eyes Clinic Complex Care pathway was created by the Dry Eyes Clinic as a way of starting the discussion about how best to treat the increasing numbers of patients who are presenting with dry eye disease, MGD, blepharitis, etc.
The team at Dry Eyes, Mr Myer Yodaiken (consultant ophthalmologist) and Mrs Rhona Freeman (optometrist) put together pathways to help clinical professionals understand where in clinic treatments and out of clinic treatments can be used to best manage the case to maximise patient benefit.
The Complex Care Pathway suggests a cascade approach which helps clinical professional understand where a patient fits and advises possible next steps for the clinician and patient.
As mentioned earlier this Complex Care Pathway is a guide and opinions will differ as to the most suitable mix of treatments, but the Care Pathway is intended as a guide for the professional and although external referrals may be necessary the patient should be returned to the care of the local specialist for ongoing care.
The Pathway also includes some newer treatments more recently introduced such as LipiFlow, and it should be understood that these try to treat the cause of the dry eye rather than masking the symptoms. These treatments have a good success rate but are about 75% successful and when a positive outcome is achieved, repeat treatments are likely to be required after one to three years. The long term success of treatments like LipiFlow, also rely on the advice and support given by the local clinician, who can help by keeping the glands clean, etc.
The Care Pathway also is a way of encouraging local clinicians to access effective off site treatment but keep control of the of the patients treatment journey.
The Dry Eyes Clinic hopes that this Pathway will help clinicians with treatment options and assist with both in practice treatment and out of practice referrals.
