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Dry eye is ‘most misunderstood eye condition’
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WAIKOLOA, Hawaii — Dry eye syndrome can be a “nightmare” for the ophthalmologist, according to Douglas Katsev, MD.
“Dry eye is the No. 1 repeated complaint by patients; the No. 1 misunderstood explanation as to why patients’ eyes need tears. And dry eye medications are the No. 1 eye medicine not taken as prescribed," Dr. Katsev said here at Hawaii 2002, the Royal Hawaiian Eye Meeting, sponsored by Ocular Surgery News in conjunction with the New England Eye Center.
Dr. Katsev said the incidence of dry eye syndrome is increasing because of the aging of the baby boomers and the growth of the population of senior citizens. He also attributed the increase to the rise in the number of people undergoing LASIK surgery. He said this increase in the number of patients with dry eye adds to physicians’ frustrations.
Dr. Katsev said laser epithelial keratomileusis, or LASEK, can be an alternative to LASIK that may avoid postop dry eye syndrome. For patients with dry eye, he said, artificial tears and punctal plugs are treatment options.