Clinical Practice Guidelines for Dry Eye: A Comprehensive Approach(2026)

ABSTRACT

The omprehensive Clinical Practice Guidelines for Dry Eye (2026) systematically elaborates on the standardized strategies for the entire process of dry eye, from screening, diagnosis, classification, staging to treatment and management of special populations. The guideline points out that the core pathological mechanism of dry eye lies in the imbalance of the tear film and/or ocular surface homeostasis, involving four major core causes: tear film instability, hyperosmolarity, ocular surface inflammation and damage, and abnormal neural sensation. Based on this, the guideline emphasizes the importance of etiology-driven classification, discarding the traditional simple dichotomy and subdividing dry eye into two major subtypes: tear film component deficiency type (deficiency of lipid layer, aqueous layer, and mucin) and ocular surface and eyelid abnormality type (neural dysfunction, inflammation, anatomical abnormalities, etc.). For different subtypes and disease stages (mild, moderate, and severe), the guideline elaborates in detail on a stepwise and individualized treatment plan, including lifestyle intervention, physical therapy, drug selection (such as evaporation inhibitors, artificial tears, secretagogues, anti-inflammatory drugs, and repair agents), invasive treatment, and traditional Chinese medicine therapies. At the same time, for special populations such as children, the elderly, and those with systemic diseases, the guideline proposes differentiated management points. The guideline emphasizes that dry eye management should cover the entire disease course, with lifestyle intervention as the foundation, etiology-driven classification as the guide, and combined with multi-modal treatment strategies. It particularly highlights the synergistic effect of integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine in symptom improvement and overall conditioning. This guideline aims to provide ophthalmic medical workers with a comprehensive, evidence-based, and practical reference for dry eye clinical practice, promoting the standardization and precision of dry eye diagnosis and treatment, and enhancing patient benefits.