BBR Optometry welcomes a ground-breaking report that has updated the classification and diagnosis of Dry Eye Disease as new figures reveal the condition affects hundreds of millions of people worldwide.

The Tear Film & Ocular Surface Society (TFOS), a global leader in eye health education, published the report in the peer-reviewed journal The Ocular Surface which revealed that Dry Eye, or ocular surface disease, remains one of the most frequent causes of patient visits to eye care practitioners and occurs more frequently in women than in men. 

BBR optometrist Jessica MacIsaac, who specialises in the diagnosis and treatment of ocular surface disease, said: “This report confirms what our own experience here in Hereford has shown with us seeing more cases of ocular surface disease.

“That is why we have now opened a dedicated Tear Clinic as a specialist eye care service to diagnose and manage ocular surface disease, relieving ocular surface symptoms and preventing long-term complications.

“Already we are seeing high numbers of patients attending the clinic, being diagnosed and treated and we encourage anyone experiencing contact lens discomfort, watery eyes, sore eyes, blurry or fluctuating vision and redness of eyes to visit the clinic,” he added.

The report concluded that ocular surface disease, which has previously been classed as a disorder, should be reclassified as follows:

“…a multifactorial disease of the ocular surface characterized by a loss of homeostasis of the tear film, and accompanied by ocular symptoms, in which tear film instability and hyperosmolarity, ocular surface inflammation and damage, and neurosensory abnormalities play etiological roles.”

You can read the TFOS DEWS II Report here and find out more about our Tear Clinic.