The Technician's Role in Dysfunctional Tear Syndrome -   OK106

Written by: Daniel R. Feller, MD and Jane T. Shuman, COT, COE
Ophthalmic medical personnel are quite familiar with the complaints of itching, burning, tearing, and blurring that are the primary group of symptoms that cause patients to seek an ophthalmologist. These may be accompanied by a foreign body sensation and a constant gritty or sandy feeling. The technician may also hear it described as a heaviness of the eyelids, “tired eyes,” or a generalized soreness. Without taking a thorough history or performing tear film measurements, many of these patients leave the office undiagnosed and dissatisfied. In actuality, these are the symptoms that describe the patient suffering from Dysfunctional Tear Syndrome (DTS). This course addresses the diagnosis, anatomy, diagnostic testing, treatment, and advances made in the therapy of patients with Dysfunctional Tear Syndrome.

 Cost: $10.00   |   Credits: 1.0 A credit  |   Take Course   |   Purchase Course

Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:

• Discuss the importance of taking a thorough history, knowing the right questions to ask of a potential DTS patient, and being familiar with the symptoms associated with DTS.
• Describe the three components to the tear film: the lipid layer, the aqueous component, and the mucins.
• Discuss ways of identifying DTS patients in the practice and being familiar with the medications that potentially can cause DTS in patients.
• Be able to discuss the four levels of severity of DTS.
• Describe the diagnostic tests used to diagnose DTS.
• Be able to discuss the drugs used to treat DTS.
• Discuss ways of counseling the patient with DTS using the four “C’s”—Compassion, Comprehension, Compliance, Control.

After you have completed reviewing the materials in this course, you will be ready to take the test. When you complete the test, press the submit button. Your test will be instantly graded and your score will be displayed.

If you do not pass the exam, you will have the opportunity to take the test a second time at no additional fee. You are not required to retake the test immediately. The course will remain on your personalized MYCE Current Course List until such time as you are ready to retake the test.

If you retake the test a second time and fail, you will have the option of purchasing the course for a reduced fee. You are not required to take the test immediately. The course will remain on your personalized MYCE Current Course List until such time as you are ready to repurchase and retake the test.

If you fail a third time, you will no longer have the option of retaking the test at a reduced fee. You will be able to repurchase the course through the Course Catalog at the regular price.

Your credit certificate for 1.0 JCAHPO Group (A) credit hour will be available for you to print immediately following your test or at your leisure from your MYCE page.

All passed and failed courses remain on your MYCE page. On a periodic basis, all completed courses will be moved to your MYCE Archived Course page.