Dry Eye Dx and Tx: <br>Telehealth Enters the Dry Eye Arena</br>

Category	Detail
Condition	Dry Eye Disease (DED)
Key Mechanisms	Loss of homeostasis in the ocular surface leading to discomfort and visual disturbance.
Target Population	Approximately 16 million Americans affected by dry eye disease.
Care Setting	Telehealth platforms for remote assessment and management.

Many patients delay seeking care for dry eye symptoms, often self-treating until symptoms worsen.
Teleoptometry is effective for managing refills and monitoring symptoms in diagnosed patients.
The Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) is a validated tool for assessing dry eye symptoms.
A hybrid model of care combining telehealth and in-person exams is recommended for optimal management.
Conditions mimicking dry eye require in-person exams for accurate diagnosis.

Diagnosis of DED requires symptoms and at least one sign of loss of homeostasis.

Use of telehealth for monitoring and managing patients already diagnosed with DED.

Remote follow-up using validated questionnaires like OSDI for treatment response.

Patients with diagnosed dry eye disease.

Common treatments include cyclosporine 0.05% ophthalmic emulsion and preservative-free artificial tears.

Start with a telehealth visit for symptom review, followed by an in-person exam.
Utilize validated questionnaires for remote assessments.
Ensure telehealth supports rather than replaces comprehensive eye care.