The Centre for Ocular Research & Education (CORE) has published issue 87 of Contact Lens Update, which focuses on the third edition of the Tear Film & Ocular Surface Society Dry Eye WorkShop report (TFOS DEWS III). Expert-authored summaries and downloadable PDFs aim to increase understanding of key conclusions and recommended actions, highlighting what has evolved since the previous work was released in 2017. The publication is available at no charge by visiting ContactLensUpdate.com.

“Dry eye disease is a commonly encountered problem that adversely affects the lives of millions. Since the release of TFOS DEWS II, over 8,000 additional peer-reviewed articles have been published on the topic. Due to that sheer volume, it is important to reassess what we know and our approaches. Recognizing that many practitioners may not have the time to read the entire report, the latest issue of Contact Lens Update provides an overview of the most critically important findings,” said Lyndon Jones, Principal Scientist at CORE and TFOS Board member.

Jennifer Craig, a therapeutic optometrist and professor at the University of Auckland, TFOS Board director, and member of the TFOS DEWS III leadership group, shares a clinically relevant introduction to the reports in the issue’s editorial. Her overview covers three key sub-reports, touching on sex, gender and hormones; pathophysiology, the tear film, diagnosis, and treatment. She offers clinicians practical guidance on the new findings and how practitioners can incorporate them into everyday practice.

The feature article consolidates critical aspects specific to the TFOS DEWS III: Diagnostic Methodology work. Heiko Pult, an optometrist and clinical researcher in Weinheim, Germany, and honorary professor at Cardiff University and Aston University in the United Kingdom, encapsulates the authors’ guidance on how to screen for dry eye, the updated subclassification, and how to diagnose each dry eye subtype.

A complementary conference highlight is contributed by Eric Lortie-Milner, an optometrist in private practice, lecturer at the University of Montreal, and PhD candidate at the University of Sherbrooke in Quebec, Canada. He presents the initial results of a larger study investigating the use of cyclosporin and intense pulsed light treatment on a group of symptomatic soft contact lens wearers. The preliminary results describe how eight weeks of cyclosporin treatment impacted various signs and symptoms of dry eye.

CORE has created downloadable handouts of the TFOS DEWS III: Digest, TFOS DEWS III: Diagnostic Methodology, and TFOS DEWS III: Management and Therapy sub-reports as Issue 87’s clinical insight. The PDFs provide practitioners with an overview of the highlights of each report to help expand their knowledge, and to aid in diagnosis and management.

In addition to a complete archive of back issues, ContactLensUpdate.com offers a resource library that provides no-cost professional tools, patient resources, images and video. It also houses complimentary technical training videos produced by International Association of Contact Lens Educators, plus an industry glossary. Industry professionals can access the latest issue directly from ContactLensUpdate.com or quickly sign up for email receipt of future issues.

The publication receives support from the educational arms of Alcon, CooperVision, and Johnson & Johnson Vision.

Click HERE for the press release.

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