EyeWorld Asia-Pacific December 2015 Issue

56 EWAP CORNEA December 2015 by EyeWorld staff Tests to diagnose ocular surface disease Figure 2 Source: ASCRS ASCRS members weigh in B ecause ocular surface diseases can negatively affect the outcome of cataract and refractive surgical procedures, it is important for these diseases to be diagnosed and treated preoperatively. In the 2014 ASCRS Clinical Survey, ASCRS members were surveyed about the tests often used to aid in the diagnosis of ocular surface disease. When asked how much they believe that certain tests can reliably increase the diagnostic accuracy of ocular surface diseases and treatment efficacy, with the exception of corneal and conjunctival staining, non-U.S. respondents strongly agree or agree at higher rates than U.S. respondents that the tests can reliably increase their diagnostic accuracy of ocular surface diseases and treatment efficacy, ranging from 5.7% to 22.8% higher than U.S. respondents. Statistically significant differences between U.S. and non- U.S. respondents are highlighted in green in Figure 1. Many surgeons are using multiple tests to get as much information as possible. “I use all the available tools to help me in diagnosing the type of dry eye disease I am dealing with, and then I tailor my treatments accordingly,” said Marjan Farid, MD , University of California, Figure 1 Irvine. “With increasing awareness of inflammation as an underlying culprit for chronic dry eye disease, the InflammaDry test [Rapid Pathogen Screening, Sarasota, Fla.] has become an integral part of my practice. Additionally, I use osmolarity testing to monitor my treatment response. The LipiView II [TearScience, Morrisville, NC] has become a very useful tool for me as well. It allows patients to witness the degree of their lid margin disease and become more active participants in their treatment regimen.” Dr. Farid noted that the survey data show that advanced diagnostics are slowly becoming more recognized as essential tools in the management of dry eye disease. “I am still surprised by the high percentage of doctors who don’t see any value in their use. I think this may be directly related to overall lack of education out there regarding their potential continued on page 62