World Council of Optometry (WCO) and Alcon have released a series of three videos to help eye care professionals (ECPs) around the world understand and apply recommendations from the recently published Tear Film & Ocular Surface Society, Dry Eye Workshop III (TFOS DEWS III) report.

The segments feature Jennifer Craig, PhD FCOptom, FAAO, FBCLA, FCLS; Lyndon Jones, DSc, PhD, FCOptom; and James Wolffsohn, BSc, MBS, PhD, FCOptom, FAAO, each of whom were part of the TFOS DEWS III Steering Committee and have been key contributors to the WCO-Alcon initiative. The videos summarize the overall report, review the diagnostic methodology section, and highlight elements of the management and therapy report.

Reports of rise in occurrence of dry eye correspond with factors such as increasing use of technology, environmental triggers, and an aging population.¹ “It’s crucial that eye care professionals stay up to date on the latest research and findings, yet we recognize that the pace of life may get in the way of reading TFOS DEWS III in its entirety,” said Cindy Tromans, BSc (Hons), PhD, FEAOO, president of WCO. “This compact video series is an easily digestible, creating an important resource for clinicians and educators looking to continuously improve their practice using the most recent evidence.”

The release of the video series follows the launch of the Dry Eye Management Map, an online interactive tool designed by the partnership to assist optometrists in navigating dry eye disease management. It merges ease of use with the latest TFOS DEWS III guidance, quickly generating applicable, evidence-based management options. While the tool supports clinical decision making, the ECP retains full medical judgment in determining the appropriate course of care.

ECPs also have free access to the WCO Alcon Dry Eye Wheel, which uses a three step approach to help them support patients with dry eye: mitigation, measurement, and management.

More information about the WCO and Alcon dry eye initiative can be found at dryeye.worldcouncilofoptometry.info.

1. Stapleton F, Alves M, Bunya VY, et al. TFOS DEWS II Epidemiology Report. Ocul Surf. 2017;15(3):334-365.