Casemore Rachel K, Wolffsohn James S, Dutta Debarun
Optometry and Vision Science Research Group, Optometry School, Aston University, UK.
Optometry and Vision Science Research Group, Optometry School, Aston University, UK.
Cont Lens Anterior Eye. 2023 Oct;46(5):101889. doi: 10.1016/j.clae.2023.101889. Epub 2023 Jul 15.
In light of the increased roles of optometrists working in primary care in the UK, this research study aimed to gain an insight into perceptions of dry eye disease (DED), knowledge and confidence in diagnosis and management, and satisfaction with currently available treatment options.
Links to an online survey were distributed to optometrists across the UK via optometry websites newsletters, conferences, and local optical committee data bases, between October 2021 and July 2022. The anonymous questionnaire contained a variety of question types including multiple choice, likert-type scale, and free text questions.
The survey was completed by 131 optometrists, with a broad range of experience, who reported examining 33.3 ± 31.0 dry eye patients per month. Forty-eight percent of respondents were involved in the provision of an extended service. Fluorescein tear breakup time, corneal fluorescein staining, and anterior lid assessment were the most used clinical procedures, both for diagnosis and monitoring purposes. Sixty percent of respondents reported that they believed their patients were satisfied/managed with artificial tear alone, with the availability of a preservative free option being the top consideration, particularly with increasing severity. Of the 18.7% of respondents who held Independent prescriber status, 68% felt this had widened their ability to diagnose and treat DED. This was evidenced by an increase in steroid recommendation for moderate and severe disease.
Although dry eye disease was perceived to be an important condition, opinions varied widely regarding knowledge and confidence in diagnosis and management. Involvement in an extended service did not alter patient management. However, an increase in therapeutic management and the employment of a stepwise approach to management has been identified.
鉴于英国从事初级保健工作的验光师作用增强，本研究旨在深入了解对干眼病（DED）的看法、诊断和管理方面的知识与信心，以及对现有治疗方案的满意度。
2021年10月至2022年7月期间，通过验光网站时事通讯、会议和当地验光委员会数据库，向英国各地的验光师分发了在线调查链接。匿名问卷包含多种问题类型，包括多项选择题、李克特量表和自由文本问题。
131名经验丰富的验光师完成了调查，他们报告每月检查33.3±31.0名干眼病患者。48%的受访者参与提供扩展服务。荧光素泪膜破裂时间、角膜荧光素染色和眼睑前部评估是诊断和监测最常用的临床检查。60%的受访者表示，他们认为仅使用人工泪液就能使患者满意/得到治疗，最主要的考虑因素是有无不含防腐剂的产品，病情越严重这一点越重要。在拥有独立处方权的18.7%的受访者中，68%的人认为这拓宽了他们诊断和治疗干眼病的能力。这体现在中重度疾病类固醇推荐的增加上。
尽管干眼病被认为是一种重要疾病，但在诊断和管理方面的知识与信心方面，意见差异很大。参与扩展服务并未改变患者管理方式。然而，已发现治疗管理有所增加，且采用了逐步管理方法。
