SECO 2026: Expert Panel Discusses Treatment Options and Management Strategies for Ocular Surface Disease

ATLANTA—At a SECO 2026 special session on Friday, an expert panel discussed the latest diagnostic methods and management strategies for ocular surface disease, with a specific focus on dry eye disease, blepharitis, and meibomian gland dysfunction. The panel was moderated by Paul Karpecki, OD, Kentucky Eye Institute, and included Walt Whitley, OD, MBA, FAAO, Virginia Eye Consultants, Cecelia Koetting, OD, University of Colorado School of Medicine, and Janelle Davison, OD, Brilliant Eyes/Visionary Dry Eye Institute. As part of the discussion, the panel stressed that ocular surface disease (OSD) is a major challenge in optometry, with its impact is seen in areas such as patient retention, contact lens drop-out rates, spectacle remakes, and outcomes following cataract surgery.