Why carry out this study?

A notable lack of awareness of DED at the first point of physician contact reported by other authors, without prompt diagnosis of the condition, results in greater patient discomfort and ultimately visual damage.

Approximately half of all patients diagnosed with the condition do not receive the correct treatment in primary care (FP) settings.

What was learned from the study?

This paper articulates and summarizes the TFOS DEWS II findings succinctly to enable a better understanding of the diagnosis, management, and treatment of DED by primary care (FP) family physicians.

Office procedures are simple and practical for either confirmation or exclusion of DED, together with a deeper understanding of presenting symptoms and recognizing a significant cause of visual morbidity.