Assessment and Management of Dry Eye Disease and Meibomian Gland Dysfunction: Providing a Singapore Framework

The purpose of this article is to provide a framework for general ophthalmologists in Singapore to manage dry eye. This framework considers the evidence in the literature as well as recommendations from expert panels such as the Tear Film & Ocular Surface Society Dry This article covers the assessment of patient medical history and ask triage questions to identify local and systemic causes of dry eye disease (DED), excluding other possible causes, as well as the risk factors for DED and ocular surface inflammation. Evaluation of clinical signs to establish the diagnosis of DED and differentiation from other causes of irritable, red eyes are described. Tests for understanding the underlying disease processes and severity of DED are also presented. Management of dry eye should involve patient education and engagement. Information about the natural history and chronic nature of DED should be provided to improve long-term management of the disease and enhance compliance. Aggravating factors should be removed or lessened. combination of treatments) based on the severity and cause(s) of the patients.