Current practice pattern for dry eye patients in South Korea: a multicenter study

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Clinical Practice Research

Background:

• Dry eye disease (DED) is a prevalent condition affecting millions globally.
• Understanding current treatment patterns is crucial for optimizing patient care and outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the current clinical practice patterns for managing dry eye patients in South Korea.
• To analyze physician preferences in dry eye treatment based on physician age and clinic type.

Main Methods:

• A multicenter, cross-sectional, observational study involving 1,612 dry eye patients.
• Patient severity was classified using Korean guidelines for dry eye treatment.
• Medical records were analyzed to assess treatment styles and physician preferences.

Main Results:

• Dry eye level 1 was the most common severity (47.5%).
• Topical anti-inflammatory agents were widely used, even for mild dry eye (level 1).
• Preservative-free artificial tears were preferred across all severity levels, though older physicians and those in referral hospitals showed earlier adoption of certain treatments.

Conclusions:

• Topical anti-inflammatory agents are commonly prescribed for dry eye in South Korea, irrespective of severity.
• Preservative-free artificial tears are the preferred choice for dry eye management.
• Physician demographics and practice settings influence dry eye treatment strategies.