Samenvatting

Dry eye disease (DED), and especially work-related dry eye, has an increasing incidence, and is expected to
become a significant public health problem, with the increasing age until retirement, and the effect of the modern,
digital, working environment causing higher visual demands. The indoor environment and more demanding, eye-related tasks, are risks factors for the development of dry eye symptoms, leading to DED at these workplaces. The current management for diagnosed DED is strongly pharmaceutical-based, and research looking at solutions towards better functioning and well-being of DED patients is rare. There is also a lack of evidence about the role of healthcare professionals in DED management.

This PhD looks at: the prevalence of DED in office workers; the environmental factors involved; the negative aspects
on quality of life experience; the attitude of healthcare professionals to DED management; the care given by the primary
healthcare professionals; and the needs for a healthcare pathway for DED.