Objective:

To emphasize the importance of managing dry eye and related conditions before fitting patients with specialty contact lenses, highlighting the potential dissatisfaction if left untreated.

Key Findings:

• Undiagnosed and undertreated dry eye, MGD, and blepharitis often lead to patient dissatisfaction with specialty lenses, underscoring the need for proactive management.
• Validated questionnaires can help identify dry eye symptoms even if not the primary reason for seeking specialty lenses, enhancing patient awareness.
• Effective management of ocular surface conditions is crucial for successful specialty lens fitting, and patient education plays a key role.

Interpretation:

Proactive management of dry eye and related conditions can significantly enhance patient satisfaction and outcomes with specialty contact lenses, potentially improving quality of life.

Limitations:

• The article does not provide specific treatment protocols for dry eye management, which may hinder practical application.
• It assumes practitioners are familiar with the use of questionnaires and ocular surface assessments, which may not be the case for all.

Conclusion:

Addressing dry eye and lid conditions prior to fitting specialty lenses can lead to improved patient experiences and outcomes.