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The article reports that Tear Film & Ocular Surface Society's Dry Eye Workshop (DEWS) II Report updated the definition of dry eye disease, describing it as a multifactorial disease of the tears and ocular surface that results in symptoms of discomfort, visual disturbance and tear film instability with potential damage to the ocular surface. It mentions that increased osmolarity of the tear film and inflammation of the ocular surface focused on meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD).

The article suggests a new way to assess patients who still struggle with symptoms, and it all begins with a closer look at their eyelid function and dysfunction. It mentions the eyelids are the primary protectors of the tear film, corneal nerves and conjunctiva; and contain the meibomian glands and some of the accessory lacrimal glands critical for tear film stability.

The article offers information about clinical finding, dry eye disease (DED) in optometric practice. Topics discussed include decreased tear osmolarity, Schirmer's score and increased meibomian gland dysfunction are symptoms of the disease in women; talks about tear instability of decreased mucin layer caused by goblet cell density reduction; and mentions meibomian gland dysfunction is main cause of DED in type 2 diabetics.

The article provides comprehensive overview on the use of tear replacement and tear conservation strategies in managing dry eye disease. Topics discussed include the diagnosis of the diseases' symptoms, the treatment and management of ptaients' dry eye, and the treatment of meibomian gland obstruction. And also notes the common used lipid-based artificial tears which include Refresh Optive Advanced from Allergan, Retaine MGD from OcuSoft, and Systance Balance from Alcon.