TearLab has launched a post-market Consumer Preference Study intended to monitor the clinical utility of its new TearLab Osmolarity System and assess customer satisfaction (Consumer Preference Study). Although only a few months old, data from multiple offices throughout the United States (NH, CT, AK, IN, MO, IL, KY, OK, GA, MD, NC, NY) has come in and is quite interesting.
TearLab provides the first quantitative and objective test for dry eye, giving both the doctor and patient a number to help assess the clinical situation. Think, hypercholesterolemia and a cholesterol number. Once patients can get a better handle around the disease that has been affecting their quality of life, possibly for years, they are on the first step to “quantitative” diagnosis and treatment. As such, clinicians using TearLab reported that the osmolarity number allowed them to interact with their patient and improve patient education a remarkable 98% of the time (126 of 129 patient encounters) driving home the value of the question – “What’s my number?” – in the management of dry eye disease.
With a number in the chart and the realization that they are going to be retested on follow-up visits, the patient has a goal to strive for, while implementing the prescribed treatment. In fact, clinicians in the study reported that the TearLab test improved treatment compliance 100% of the time (48 of 48 patient encounters).
On a scale of 1 to 5, with “1 = not at all satisfied” and “5 = completely satisfied”, TearLab scored an impressive 4.5 across all sites by doctors that rated their patient encounter with TearLab. This study is on going and we will continue to report data as it comes in – so stayed tuned.
Finally, I want to mention that all TearLab users are invited to participate in the Consumer Preference Study. If you need more information about joining the study, please let us know – (Contact TearLab).
