Episode Details

As optometry moves into 2026, the profession is experiencing one of its most clinically rich and technologically diverse periods in recent memory. Reflecting on 2025 reveals a year defined not by a single breakthrough, but by meaningful shifts in how eye care professionals diagnose, treat, and communicate with patients.

In Defocus Media’s annual Optometry Trends discussion, Dr. Darryl Glover and Dr. Jennifer Lyerly are joined by Dr. Jackie Garlich and Dr. Mark Schaefer to examine the innovations that actually changed behavior in practice. The conversation highlights an important theme: progress in optometry is no longer about access to tools—it is about intentional implementation.

Dry Eye Treatment in 2026: New Medications and Smarter Prescribing

Dry eye disease continues to evolve from a symptom-driven condition to a mechanism-driven diagnosis. In 2025, eye care professionals gained more clarity—and more responsibility—as new therapies expanded treatment options across multiple pathways.

Tear stimulation agents such as TRYPTYR introduced a different approach for patients with aqueous-deficient dry eye, shifting attention toward lacrimal gland activation rather than surface replacement alone. As discussed, success with these agents depends heavily on expectation setting, particularly around initial sensations and delayed therapeutic benefit.

At the lid margin, Xdemvy demonstrated durable improvement in patients with Demodex blepharitis, reinforcing the role of targeted therapy in restoring long-term gland function. Clinicians are increasingly recognizing that treating Demodex is not cosmetic—it directly impacts inflammation control and tear film stability.

In-office procedures continue to play a complementary role. IPL and