It’s being called the summer of “revenge travel:” that pent up demand to hit the road, rails and sky due to months of staying close to home. According to a recent Tripadvisor survey, about 67% of Americans plan to travel this summer.

Studies show travel can reduce stress, improve health and even boost cognitive function. This may explain why, when vacationing, I achieve a relaxed state during which I vividly recall what I forgot to pack. The forgetfulness appears common. According to several surveys, some of the most forgotten eye care-related items include sunglasses, contact lenses and prescriptions.

Looking further at the travel/eye care connection, airplane cabins, hotel rooms and other environments can contribute to dry eye disease, the theme of this issue’s “Practicing Medical Optometry” (PMO) section. By addressing the above issues with patients, eye care professionals can play a role in fostering happy, healthy travel, which would benefit the majority of Americans.

EXPERT DRY EYE INSIGHTS

Of course, DED affects tens of millions of Americans, regardless of travel schedules. In this issue’s PMO, our contributors share their DED expertise, including:

• Uncovering new DED patients. Mask wear and increased screen use may have contributed to a rise in DED. In “Weathering the Perfect Dry Eye Disease Storm,” (https://bit.ly/3ygQdKi), O.D.s discuss tips to identify these patients, including opportunities with DED questionnaires, triage, refraction and more.
• Diagnosing DED. Dr. David N. Zucker provides a procedure for diagnosing DED in “Determining the Root Cause of Dryness” (https://bit.ly/3jA7JoL). By identifying the source, optometrists can then be confident in utilizing the most effective treatment plan, writes Dr. Zucker.
• Managing all levels of DED. In “Heal, Clean, Calm and Protect the Ocular Surface” (https://bit.ly/2Tizc3X), Dr. Tracy Doll offers a treatment protocol for all levels of DED, be it mild, moderate or severe.
• Building a clinic on a budget. In the final article of the PMO section, Dr. Cecelia Koetting explains how to start and grow a DED clinic cost-effectively in “Tools to Start a DED Clinic” (https://bit.ly/3yrDAMX). With a modest investment, O.D.s can begin to build and expand on DED services that will help and satisfy a growing number of patients. OM