Abstract
ImportanceDry eye disease has become an important health problem. A lack of concordance between self-reported symptoms and the outcome of dry eye examinations has raised questions about dry eye disease.ObjectiveTo explore the association between subjective happiness and objective and subjective symptoms of dry eye disease.DesignThe study adopted a cross-sectional design.SettingAll the employees of a company in Osaka, Japan.Participants672 Japanese office workers using Visual Display Terminals (age range: 26–64 years).MethodsThe dry eye measurement tools included the Schirmer test, conjunctivocorneal staining, the tear film break-up time, as well as the administration of a dry eye symptoms questionnaire. Happiness was measured by the Subjective Happiness Scale.Main Outcome MeasuresDry eye examination parameters, dry eye symptoms questionnaires, and the Subjective Happiness Scale score.ResultsOf the 672 workers, 561 (83.5%) completed the questionnaires and examinations. The mean Subjective Happiness Scale score was 4.91 (SD = 1.01). This score was inversely correlated with the dry eye symptom score (r = -0.188, p < 0.001), but was not associated with objective findings which include conjunctivocorneal staining, low Schirmer test score, or low tear film break-up time. The level of subjective happiness was the lowest in the group without objective results, but reported subjective symptoms of dry eyes (p < 0.05).Conclusions and RelevanceThere is evidence of the relationship between subjective happiness and self-reported symptoms of dry eyes. Findings of this study revealed a new perspective on dry eye disease, including the potential for innovative treatments of a specific population with dry eye disease.
Highlights
The high and increasing prevalence of dry eye disease (DED) has become an important public health problem, especially in developed countries with advanced information technology and aging populations [1,2,3,4,5,6,7]
Subjective Happiness and Dry Eye Disease submission, Dr Yokoi was a consultant for Kissei Co., Ltd. and Rohto Co., Ltd
The mean Subjective Happiness Scale score was 4.91 (SD = 1.01). This score was inversely correlated with the dry eye symptom score (r = -0.188, p < 0.001), but was not associated with objective findings which include conjunctivocorneal staining, low Schirmer test score, or low tear film break-up time
Summary
The high and increasing prevalence of dry eye disease (DED) has become an important public health problem, especially in developed countries with advanced information technology and aging populations [1,2,3,4,5,6,7]. A diagnosis of DED requires objective findings from eye examination tests and subjective reports of dry eye symptoms. Many studies have found a discrepancy between subjective self-reported symptoms and objective findings in patients with DED [9,17]. There has been no clear explanation for the presence of cases with measurable indications of dry eyes but no reported subjective symptoms; such cases lead to the improbable diagnosis that the person does not have DED. Well-being, referred to as happiness, is a state of mind or feeling characterized by pleasure or satisfaction Positive psychological factors such as happiness have been credited with improving human functioning and helping people live more successful lives [24]
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