Pharmacists in Action: Targeted Treatment Approaches for Dry Eye Disease (Pharmacist Credit)

This activity was originally presented at the 2026 Directions in Pharmacy (DIP) Conference.

Program Description

Dry eye disease (DED) is a common ocular surface disorder characterized by symptoms such as ocular discomfort, burning, foreign body sensation, and blurred vision due to tear film homeostasis. While many patients may be able to manage their initial discomfort with OTC products, effective treatment of moderate to severe and inflammatory DED often requires prescription therapies, which can present significant challenges for patients.

This webinar will support community pharmacists in triaging patients with DED. A key focus will be on the pathophysiology of inflammatory DED, clarifying how to accurately differentiate between acute flares and chronic DED and recommend an appropriate therapeutic approach. The symptoms, diagnosis, and management of DED will also be reviewed alongside the mechanisms, efficacy, and safety of current OTC products and prescription options. Finally, evidence-based counseling techniques regarding risk factors, correct instillation to improve medication use, and appropriate product selection in inflammatory DED will be presented.

Target audience: Community pharmacists and retail pharmacists and pharmacy technicians
Type of activity: Application
Release date: June 30, 2026
Expiration date: June 30, 2027
Learner level: Foundational
Time to complete activity: 1.0 hour
Fee: Free

Educational Objectives

At the completion of this activity, pharmacists will be able to:

• Identify the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease (DED) that can be managed with OTC products and those needing urgent referral to a specialist
• Differentiate the mechanisms, effectiveness, and safety of emerging and approved DED therapies, including OTC and prescription options, to support evidence-based decisions
• Apply counseling techniques for managing DED by highlighting risk factors and medication use during patient interactions

Accreditation

Pharmacy Times Continuing Education™ is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) as a provider of continuing pharmacy education. This activity is approved for 1.0 contact hour (0.10 CEU) under the ACPE universal activity number 0290-0000-26-204-H01-P.The activity is available for CE credit through June 30, 2027.

Instructions for Completing the Activity and Receiving CPE Credit

To receive CPE credit, participants must complete the pretest, view the activity in its entirety, complete the posttest, and complete the online activity evaluation. After successful completion of the online activity evaluation, you can submit your credit to CPE Monitor. You may view your credit within 48 hours at www.mycpemonitor.net. All participants must request credit before the activity expiration date. CE credit will not be issued after this date.

Faculty

The following contributors have no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose:

Michelle Jeon, PharmD, BCACP, AAHIVP

Pharmacy Times Continuing Education™ Planning Staff—Jim Palatine, RPh, MBA; Adam C. Welch, PharmD, MBA, FAPhA; Emily Tyler; Brianna Winters; and Chloe Taccetta.

Any relevant financial relationships listed for these individuals have been mitigated.

At least one anonymous peer reviewer was used as part of content validation and conflict resolution. The peer reviewer has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose.

Educational Disclaimer

Continuing professional education activities are offered solely for educational purposes and do not constitute any form of professional advice or referral. Discussions concerning drugs, dosages, and procedures may reflect the clinical experience of the author(s) or be derived from the professional literature or other sources and may suggest uses that are investigational in nature and not approved by the labeling or indications. Participants are encouraged to refer to primary references or full prescribing information resources.

For questions about this internet CPE activity, please contact:
ceinfo@pharmacytimes.com

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