1.Survey on the knowledge, attitudes, and practice patterns of ophthalmologists in the Philippines on the diagnosis and management of dry eye disease
Margarita I. Echavez ; Ruben Lim Bon Siong
Philippine Journal of Ophthalmology 2019;44(2):68-74
Objective:
To determine the knowledge, attitudes, and practice patterns of ophthalmologists practicing in the
Philippines on the diagnosis and management of dry eye disease through a survey using an online questionnaire.
Methods:
A simple online survey was designed to determine the knowledge of ophthalmologists practicing in the
Philippines on the definition, symptoms, diagnostics, as well as their management of dry eye disease. Respondents
also provided information regarding setting and characteristic of practice, years of practice, field of practice, and
number of new dry eye patients weekly.
Results:
A total of 148 ophthalmologists responded to the survey with a 16% response rate. Most believed dry eye
disease was associated with symptoms of ocular discomfort (99%), tear deficiency (98%), and tear film instability
(97%). Symptoms believed to be associated with dry eye were dryness (97%), burning sensation (94%), foreign
body sensation (93%), and discomfort/pain (93%). Most ophthalmologists diagnosed dry eye based on patient
symptoms (99%), tear break-up time (93%), and fluorescein staining (91%). Very few tested for tear osmolarity to
diagnose dry eye (6%). Only few used dry eye questionnaires (27%) and lissamine staining (32%). The most valuable
tests included tear break-up time (92%), fluorescein staining (88%), Schirmer test (85%), and meibomian gland
evaluation (83%). Treatments most commonly used were artificial tear supplements (100%), lid hygiene (94%), environmental modification (92%), and work and lifestyle modification (88%). Artificial tear supplements were the
most valuable treatment (100%), followed by lid hygiene (89%) then environmental modification (85%). The most
common first-line medications were carboxymethylcellulose (89%), propylene glycol (85%), and hypromellose
(83%). Very few ophthalmologists classified dry eye by type (19%) and by severity (35%), but 80% tailored their
treatment to the severity of the dry eye.
Conclusion
Dry eye disease is a common yet frequently underrecognized clinical condition whose etiology and
management challenge clinicians and researchers alike. This study showed that ophthalmologists practicing in
the Philippines who answered the survey lacked awareness on the new definition of dry eye disease, the newer
diagnostic tests, and therapeutics available for diagnosing and managing dry eye disease.
Dry Eye Syndromes
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Surveys and Questionnaires
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Attitude
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Philippines
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Ophthalmologists