Ocular Surface Pain: Online medical education can significantly improve ophthalmologists’ knowledge on causative factors, diagnostic methods and emerging therapies and increase confidence for patient assessment

Abstract

Purpose : To determine if online medical education for ophthalmologists (Opht) could improve their knowledge and confidence to assess patients with ocular surface pain, in particular those with a neuropathic component and recall new mechanisms of action for emerging treatments

Methods : Opht participated in an online 30 min video, 3 expert roundtable discussion with accompanying slides. A repeated pairs pre-/post-assessment study design was used, assessing 3 multiple choice knowledge and one confidence question. Statistical significance tests: McNemar’s test for individual questions (5% significance level, P <.05), paired sample t-test for overall average correct responses and confidence rating; data collected Apr 16, 2021 to Jul 15, 2021. Test completers: 441

Results : At baseline, 38% of Opht (n=441) answered all 3 questions correctly, increasing to 71% (P < 0.01) on post-assessment. 49% of Opht reported improved confidence in their ability to assess patients with ocular surface pain. The activity significantly increased knowledge on neuropathic causes as contributing factor to ocular surface pain (pre: 81%, post: 89%, p<.001), on selecting assessment methods to differentiate between neuropathic corneal pain of central and peripheral origin (pre: 68%, post: 88% p<0.001) as well as recalling the mechanism of action for an emerging therapy inhibiting transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 1 (TRPV1) which plays a key role in ocular surface pain. (pre: 60%, post: 82%, p<.001). 93% of test completers polled stated a need for new therapies to treat chronic ocular surface pain.

Conclusions : Online medical education in the form of expert roundtable discussions with accompanying slides can significantly improve ophthalmologists’ knowledge and confidence on assessing patients with ocular surface pain to raise awareness and improve diagnosis of peripheral and central neuropathic pain and increase knowledge on emerging treatments, such as topical TRPV-1 inhibitors. Polling confirmed a high unmet need for new treatments to better control chronic ocular surface pain. Additional education is warranted to shorten time to diagnosis for neuropathic ocular pain, disseminate latest clinical data for emerging treatments and evidence based patient selection guidance for clinical practice.

This abstract was presented at the 2022 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Denver, CO, May 1-4, 2022, and virtually.