The role of primary healthcare in the management of work-related DED in the Netherlands

Dry eye disease (DED), and especially work-related dry eye, has an increasing incidence, and is expected to become a significant public health problem, with the increasing age until retirement, and the effect of the modern, digital, working environment causing higher visual demands. The indoor environment and more demanding, eye-related tasks, are risks factors for the development of dry eye symptoms, leading to DED at these workplaces. The current management for diagnosed DED is strongly pharmaceutical-based, and research looking at solutions towards better functioning and well-being of DED patients is rare. There is also a lack of evidence about the role of healthcare professionals in DED management. A substantial proportion of office workers surveyed experienced mild/moderate dry eye symptoms, and that while these were experienced more at work than at home, they had a negative impact on daily activities at work and after work, interfering with their social life. There is a lack of in-depth knowledge in dry eye diagnosis and management in all primary healthcare professionals surveyed and education is needed in management of work-related dry eye; there is a need for a specialised DED optometrist, with a recognised qualification; inter-professional cooperation should be promoted through better communication pathways; OHPs and optometrists should work together at the association level to develop clinical care guidelines; and a chronic care pathway in DED should be developed as part of the Dutch Government healthcare reforms