Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41965499›Full record

ArticleOphthalmology and therapy2026

Experts Perspectives on Current Practices and Challenges of Diagnosis and Treatment of Dry Eye Disease across Europe and Central Asia.

Giuseppe Giannaccare, Adam Wylęgała, Maria Maślińska, Jindřiška Betková, Zarina Beisenbayeva, Iryna Deryapa, Iren Izabella Gabos, Christina Grupcheva, Alexa Anisia-Iuliana, Ralitsa Kermedchieva and 5 more

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Article in Ophthalmology and therapy, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

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No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

15 authors.

Giuseppe GiannaccareEye Clinic, Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy. giuseppe.giannaccare@unica.it.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2617-0289
Adam WylęgałaExperimental Ophthalmology Unit, Department of Biophysics, Medical University of Silesia, Railway Hospital, Katowice, Poland.
Maria MaślińskaDepartment of Rheumatology, National Institute of Geriatrics Rheumatology and Rehabilitation in Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.
Jindřiška BetkováThe Ophthalmic Clinic of the 1st Faculty of Medicine of the UK and VFN, Prague, Czech Republic.
Zarina BeisenbayevaKazakh Research Institute of Eye Diseases for Science, Almaty, Kazakhstan.
Iryna DeryapaEye Clinic EuroZir+, Kyiv, Ukraine.
Iren Izabella GabosDepartment of Ophthalmology, Vas County Markusovszky University Teaching Hospital, Szombathely, Hungary.
Christina GrupchevaBulgarian Academy of Science, Centre for Vision and Education, University Hospital "Medica", Russe, Bulgaria.
Alexa Anisia-IulianaUniversity of Medicine and Pharmacy "Grigore T. Popa", Iasi, Romania.
Ralitsa KermedchievaEye Hospital Pentagram, Sofia, Bulgaria.
Nora MajtanovaDepartment of Ophthalmology, Slovak Medical University and University Hospital in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia.
Ewa Mrukwa-KominekDepartment of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland.
Nazokat MukhamedovaSAIF-OPTIMA Clinic, Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
Oksana VitovskaDeutsche Augenklinik, Bogomolets National Medical University, Kyiv, Ukraine.
Edward WylęgałaChair and Clinical Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionDry eye disease (DED) is a multifactorial disease of the ocular surface characterized by a loss of homeostasis of the tear film, and accompanied by ocular symptoms, in which tear film instability and hyperosmolarity, ocular surface inflammation and damage, and neurosensory abnormalities play etiological roles. Affecting up to 60% of individuals worldwide, DED imposes a significant physical, psychosocial, and economic burden. Its diagnosis remains challenging owing to heterogeneous clinical presentations, poor correlation between signs and symptoms, and limited access to advanced diagnostic tools. This study aimed at exploring real-world clinical practices in the diagnosis and management of DED across Europe and Central Asia by gathering experts' perspectives.

methodsA panel of experts comprising 15 specialists from tertiary referral centers across 10 countries convened to discuss diagnostic workflows and treatment strategies for DED.

resultsThe consensus emphasized that symptom questionnaires, slit-lamp examination, tear break-up time, and corneal and conjunctival staining represent the cornerstone of diagnosis. Tear osmolarity testing was used less frequently, primarily owing to cost and limited resource availability. Most cases managed in specialized centers were moderate-to-severe, underscoring the need for comprehensive and multidisciplinary evaluation. Treatment practices emphasized a stepwise approach, with first-line therapy comprising conventional measures such as environmental and behavioral modifications, tear substitutes, and lid hygiene. Cyclosporine A (CsA) eye drops were reserved for patients with an insufficient response to first-line therapy or with clinically significant ocular surface inflammation. In these cases, experts indicated that concomitant short-term glucocorticosteroids with CsA may be used initially, followed by CsA monotherapy for long-term disease control. Regular follow-up and patient education were considered essential to support treatment adherence and efficacy. Interdisciplinary collaboration, particularly with rheumatologists and mental health professionals, was regarded as critical for managing systemic comorbidities and addressing psychosocial impacts.

conclusionsThis consensus highlights the value of sharing experts' experience to harmonize care standards and optimize clinical outcomes. Early recognition of ocular surface inflammation, timely initiation of immunomodulatory therapy, and integrated multidisciplinary care are essential for improving patient quality of life across diverse healthcare settings.

Indexed as

Cyclosporine ADiagnostic toolsDry eyeInflammationInterdisciplinary collaborationTear instability

Identifiers

PMID41965499
PMCPMC13176376

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.