It was on 26 January that ophthalmologist José Salgado-Borges organized a conference with the objective of presenting the first Integrated Dry Eye Centre (IDEC) award in Portugal. The occasion also served to mark the 25 years of existence of his clinic, Clinsborges.
When we arrived at Quinta da Boeira, in Vila Nova de Gaia, the host received the guests with a smile and kindness with each gesture. Dinner was scheduled for 21h30, but an hour before the hall where appetizers were being served, was already well attended. “I invited about 30 ophthalmologists and colleagues from other specialized fields to present the Integrated Dry Eye Centre. The idea is to try to solve the problems of their patients when they encounter more complicated situations of dryness of the eye. We make an overall assessment of these patients and indicate the treatment to be followed. Subsequently, we send the patients back to our respective colleagues, but with the diagnosis/treatment already done. With the effort of all, we can develop a different centre, which will truly benefit patients”, began José Salgado-Borges.
But why the creation of an Integrated Dry Eye Centre? we asked. “It makes sense to create IDEC, since dry eye is a very common pathology. Between three to four of the 10 patients who visits us daily at the clinic have complaints of ocular dryness. The IDEC intends to take advantage of all the existing technology at Clinsborges and to make a network of treatment of the dry eye that allows to obtain an overall approach, namely through the action of other specialties, like the psychology and the nutritional part, that are fundamental for these patients. Another very important area that may help in the detection of this problem is optometry. We took advantage of the presence of the optometrist and researcher of the University of Minho (UMinho) José Manuel González-Méijome at the event to share with us some words on the subject.
