Dry Eye Disease in the Middle East and Northern Africa: A Position Paper on the Current State and Unmet Needs

Abstract

In the Middle East and Northern Africa (MENA), dry eye disease (DED) is often misdiagnosed or overlooked. This review summarizes a series of conversations with ophthalmologists in the region around a variety of climatic, lifestyle, and iatrogenic factors that contribute to specific features of DED in the MENA region. These considerations are further classified by patient lifestyle and surgical choices. All statements are based on discussions and formal voting to achieve consensus over three meetings. Overall, a deeper understanding of the disease characteristics of DED specific to MENA can better guide local eyecare practitioners on appropriate management and follow-up care. Additionally, population-based studies and patient and physician education on ocular surface diseases, together with the use of culturally appropriate and language-specific questionnaires can help ease the public health burden of DED in this region.

Keywords:

• ocular surface
• regional clinical practice
• epidemiology
• treatment
• patient outcomes

Disclosure

Dr. Sihem Lazreg has acted as occasional consultant for Thea, Bausch & Lomb, Allergan, Quantel, Santen and Orchedia.

Dr. Mohamed Hosny has acted as occasional consultant for Alcon, Ziemer, Schwind, Tracey and Bausch & Lomb.

Dr. Muhammad Ahad has acted as occasional consultant for Bausch & Lomb, AbbVie and Alcon.

Dr. Mazen Sinjab has acted as occasional consultant for Bausch & Lomb.

Dr. Riadh Messaoud has acted as occasional consultant for Bausch & Lomb, Thea and Unimed.

Dr. Shady T. Awwad has acted as occasional consultant for Bausch & Lomb.

Dr. Rousseau has acted as occasional consultant for AbbVie, Horus Pharma, Glaukos, Thea, received speaker honoraria from AbbVie, Horus Pharma, Bausch & Lomb, Alnylam, Thea, travel grants from Horus Pharma, Thea, personal fees from Santen and research grant from Alnylam, Thea.

Authors have no other conflicts of interest to declare in this paper.

Additional information

Funding

Bausch & Lomb provided funding for the author meetings for the development of this manuscript and for the Open Access to this manuscript. Emmanuelle Gorsse of JBH Sante, France provided editorial support, and this service was paid for by Bausch & Lomb. The authors were involved in the entire process, from design to critical revision of the manuscript, and maintained complete control over its direction and content. Bausch & Lomb did not have any influence on the manuscript content.