New Korean Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Dry Eye Disease

• Published in: Korean journal of ophthalmology Vol. 38; no. 2; pp. 156 - 163
• Main Authors: Kim, Dong Hyun, Eom, Youngsub, Yoon, Chang Ho, Lee, Hyun Soo, Hwang, Ho Sik, Kim, Jin Hyoung, Kim, Tae-im, Song, Jong Suk, Seo, Kyoung Yul, Yoon, Kyung Chul
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korea (South) Korean Ophthalmological Society 01.04.2024; 대한안과학회
• Subjects: Dry Eye Syndromes - drug therapy; Dry Eye Syndromes - therapy; Eye; Humans; Lacerations; Republic of Korea; Review; Tears; 안과학; Republic of Korea; Clinical guidelines; Treatment; Diagnosis; Dry eye disease
• ISSN: 1011-8942; 2092-9382; 2092-9382
• DOI: 10.3341/kjo.2023.0076

New Korean guidelines for the diagnosis and management of dry eye disease were developed based on literature reviews by the Korean Dry Eye Guideline Establishment Committee, a previous dry eye guideline by Korean Corneal Disease Study Group, a survey of Korean Dry Eye Society (KDES) members, and KDES consensus meetings. The new definition of dry eye was also proposed by KDES regular members. The new definition by the regular members of the KDES is as follows: “Dry eye is a disease of the ocular surface characterized by tear film abnormalities and ocular symptoms.” The combination of ocular symptoms and an unstable tear film (tear breakup time <7 seconds) was considered as essential components for the diagnosis of dry eye. Schirmer test and ocular surface staining were considered adjunctive diagnostic criteria. The treatment guidelines consisted of a simplified stepwise approach according to aqueous deficiency dominant, evaporation dominant, and altered tear distribution subtypes. New Korean guidelines can be used as a simple, valid, and accessible tool for the diagnosis and management of dry eye disease in clinical practice.