Symptomology and Impact of Dry Eye Disease: A Patient and Physician Perspective

Dry eye disease (DED) is a common ocular surface disease that results from tear instability, leading to visual disturbance, decreased work productivity, and reduced quality of life. Contributing factors to DED are multifactorial, ranging from air quality to Sjögren's syndrome (primary or secondary), and the associated comorbidities make management particularly challenging. Additionally, knowledge on the natural history of dry eye is lacking, and there is no consensus on the optimal treatment for various DED subtypes and their comorbidities. It is critical that information remains accurate and accessible to patients, caregivers, and physicians. Here, the experiences of a patient with DED are contextualized by an ophthalmologist with a review of the current available literature on DED to establish a groundwork for future research into DED. The patient experience suggests that a clear and accessible information source for patients and caregivers remains an overlooked aspect of holistic care in DED. Symptoms such as watery eyes and refractive changes are often not well understood by patients, and a systems-based approach suggests that patient care would benefit from multidisciplinary collaborations between ophthalmologists, general physicians, and other health professionals in managing this chronic condition. Further advancements in DED research and delivery of care will depend on increasing community engagement on DED diagnosis, comorbidities, and current evidence-based treatment protocols.