Dry Eye: Compassionate communication

Dry eye disease (DED) sufferers are estimated to be between 5% and 50% of the adult population worldwide, according to a 2020 Transparency Market Research report. With post-pandemic lifestyles increasing risk factors, such as screen-time use, it is no wonder many practices have created dry eye clinics to ensure there is specific attention given to DED patients.

Having the time to allow the patient to speak at length on dry eye and provide a detailed history is not always possible in general eye appointments and can leave patients feeling frustrated and unheard. However, having a dedicated clinic for the disease guarantees the extra time needed to deliver personalised treatment plans, as optometrist Gillian Bruce explains. ‘This is where dry eye clinics have the biggest opportunity,’ says Bruce, who developed the dry eye clinic at Cameron Optometry in Edinburgh.