World Council of Optometry (WCO) and Alcon have introduced the Dry Eye Management Map, a new online tool designed to help optometrists evaluate and manage dry eye disease (DED) using evidence-based guidance.
The interactive platform, now available globally, is part of the organizations’ ongoing multi-year partnership focused on professional education. It aims to simplify clinical decision-making for DED, a condition that affects an estimated 1.6 billion people worldwide.
“Optometrists are always looking for the most up-to-date and effective way to diagnose and manage their patients, especially when they’re suffering from a complex chronic disease that can lead to further complications if left unmanaged,” said Cindy Tromans, BSc (Hons), PhD, FEAOO, WCO president. “The Dry Eye Management Map will provide a critical and valuable resource for clinicians and educators worldwide. By using this tool in daily practice, they can more easily create and evaluate customized management plans based on specific contributing factors.”
Tool Design and Functionality
The Dry Eye Management Map integrates recommendations from the Tear Film and Ocular Surface Society’s Dry Eye Workshop III, or TFOS DEWS III, translating complex clinical guidance into a user-friendly format.
Optometrists begin by selecting from three underlying drivers of DED, tear film deficiencies, eyelid anomalies, and ocular surface abnormalities, then corresponding sub-drivers with the option for multiple selections. Based on these inputs, the tool generates a tailored set of management options alongside standard and advanced diagnostic testing recommendations. The resulting report that can be emailed for patient record documentation or later review.
While the tool supports clinical workflows, WCO emphasizes that optometrists retain full medical judgment and remain the decision makers in determining appropriate care.
Global Education Initiatives
Carla Mack, OD, head of global professional education at Alcon, says that the tool reflects a shared goal to provide optometrists with evidence-resources. “By translating detailed guidance into an intuitive, accessible digital tool, we aim to support eye care professionals as they deliver more personalized care to patients worldwide,” she says.
At launch, the Dry Eye Management Map is available in English, with additional languages expected in the coming months.
This tool complements existing resources such as the WCO Alcon Dry Eye Wheel, which outlines a three-step approach to care: mitigation, measurement, and management. The initiative, now in its fifth year, also includes a library of expert-led videos and additional tools hosted on the program’s microsite.