TFOS DEWS II diagnostic methodology report

James S. Wolffsohn*, Reiko Arita, Robin Chalmers, Ali Djalilian, Murat Dogru, Kathy Dumbleton, Preeya K. Gupta, Paul Karpecki, Sihem Lazreg, Heiko Pult, Benjamin D. Sullivan, Alan Tomlinson, Louis Tong, Edoardo Villani, Kyung Chul Yoon, Lyndon Jones, Jennifer Craig

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The role of the Tear Film and Ocular Surface Society (TFOS) Dry Eye Workshop (DEWS) II Diagnostic Methodology Subcommittee was 1) to identify tests used to diagnose and monitor dry eye disease (DED), 2) to identify those most appropriate to fulfil the definition of DED and its sub-classifications, 3) to propose the most appropriate order and technique to conduct these tests in a clinical setting, and 4) to provide a differential diagnosis for DED and distinguish conditions where it is a comorbidity. Symptom screening with the DEQ-5 or OSDI confirms that a patient might have DED and triggers the diagnostic tests of (ideally non-invasive) breakup time, osmolarity and ocular surface staining with fluorescein and lissamine green (observing the cornea, conjunctiva and eyelid margin). Prior to diagnosis, it is important to exclude conditions that can mimic DED with the aid of triaging questions. Meibomian gland dysfunction, lipid thickness/dynamics and tear volume assessment and their severity allow sub-classification of DED (predominantly evaporative or aqueous deficient) which informs the management of DED. Videos of these diagnostic and sub-classification techniques are available on the TFOS website. It is envisaged that the identification of the key tests to diagnose and monitor DED and its sub-classifications will inform future epidemiological studies and management clinical trials, improving comparability, and enabling identification of the sub-classification of DED in which different management strategies are most efficacious.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)539-574
Number of pages36
JournalOcular Surface
Volume15
Issue number3
Early online date20 Jul 2017
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jul 2017

Keywords

  • DEWS
  • diagnosis
  • dry eye disease (DED)
  • dry eye workshop
  • methodology
  • monitoring
  • questionnaires
  • sub-classification of dry eye
  • tests for dry eye

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