A/Prof Jennifer Craig, the new TFOS workshop chair

Associate Professor Jennifer Craig, head of the Ocular Surface Laboratory at the University of Auckland, has been named as the new chair of the highly anticipated next Tear Film & Ocular Surface Society (TFOS) Workshop.

The new Workshop, entitled, A Lifestyle Epidemic – Ocular Surface Disease, will evaluate the scientific literature to better understand the impact of today’s modern lifestyles on the eye and identify factors that contribute to ocular surface disease (OSD), said A/Prof Craig. “It will include, but not be limited to dry eye disease. Kind of like looking at, ‘the side-effects of the lives we lead’.”

Since the publication of the TFOS Dry Eye Workshop (DEWS) II report in 2017, there has been a plethora of research conducted into dry eye disease and other ocular surface diseases, and what causes and affects them. But there are still many areas to explore and study comparisons to be made, said A/Prof Craig. “This fifth TFOS workshop will include the impact of our surrounding world, both our exposure to ambient environments, influenced by climate, altitude, pollen and pollution, for example, and individual environments associated with everyday life, such as digital screen use, cosmetic use, the use of masks for coronavirus protection, diet, smoking, caffeine, our working and leisure environments and healthcare.” 

TFOS executive director Amy Gallant Sullivan said she is delighted to announce A/Prof Craig’s appointment as chair of the next workshop. “TFOS Workshops are daunting, as they require an extraordinary amount of due diligence and collaboration. We are delighted to have Dr Craig lead the charge. Her dedication, drive and passion are infectious. TFOS is all about teamwork and Dr Craig is an integral part of our team.”

Building on the work begun in 1995 by the US-based National Eye Institute and the ground-breaking TFOS DEWS report published in 2007, TFOS DEWS II was a massive undertaking, involving 150 researchers from 23 countries who critically appraised thousands of evidence-based articles. After more than two and half years of work, their findings were collated into a 400-page report which has revolutionised how dry eye disease is understood, recognised and treated. This mammoth task was led by a 25-member steering committee, chaired by Dr Dan Nelson, formerly associate medical director for HealthPartners Medical Group in Minnesota, and supported by A/Prof Craig as vice chair.

Though significant, this new workshop won’t be as large an undertaking as DEWS II, said Gallant Sullivan. “This next workshop is about humanising OSD. We want to make it ‘tangible’, so everyone knows how omnipresent it is.”

A/Prof Craig said she’s incredibly honoured to have been invited to serve as chair this time around and looks forward to working with TFOS founder and chair Associate Professor David Sullivan, vice chair Dr Monica Alves and the TFOS board to refine and confirm the parameters of the next workshop. TFOS is currently seeking sponsorship to support its fifth workshop, which is forecast to commence sometime next year.