Prevalence Of Dry Eye Disease Research Articles

Prevalence of dry eye disease in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: A population-based survey OSDI of young adults aged 16–39 years

OBJECTIVE: Dry eye disease is a multifactorial disease that adversely impacts the quality of life. The study helped by performing an exhaustive analysis of participants’ responses during the coronavirus lockdown in Riyadh. The study aimed to gather evidence by incorporating an ocular surface disease index (OSDI) questionnaire in a healthy population. The questionnaire helped find the DED severity based on age, gender, and demographic information. METHODS: A cross-sectional (OSDI) survey was led among healthy male and female participants in Riyadh from March 2021 to March 2022. This study helped study the change of environment and lifestyle through the questionnaire. RESULTS: 611 participants, having a mean age of 26, were chosen for the survey. The DED prevalence among respondents was 68.58%. The OSDI scores significantly differed between female and male participants. The most difference in severity was reported among respondents of age groups (16–26 and 27–39 years). The scores were significantly higher for female participants. CONCLUSIONS: The overall prevalence of dry eyes was 68.58% during the COVID-19 pandemic. DED was higher among the age group of 16–26, and the occurrence was mainly frequent among female respondents. Eye healthcare systems should gather more evidence to increase awareness in young adults to prevent them from contracting DED, which places a considerable financial burden on healthcare systems.

Prevalence of dry eye disease symptoms, associated factors and impact on quality of life among medical students during the pandemic

This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of dry eye disease (DED) symptoms, their associated factors, and the impact on quality of life (QOL) and mental health among medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic using online surveys. Participants completed questionnaires covering demography, medical history, and personal data. The Thai version of the Dry Eye-related Quality-of-Life Score (DEQS-Th) was used for DED screening. The QOL and mental health challenges (support, coping, stress, and depression) were evaluated by the EuroQoL-5 dimensions-5 levels (EQ-5D-5L) and Thymometer questionnaires. A total of 449 participants were analyzed, with a mean age of 21.8 years and 61.5% female. The prevalence of DED symptoms was 60.4% (95%CI 55.7–64.8). The DEQS-Th score, the EQ-5D-5L score, and all aspects of mental health challenges were significantly worse in DED participants compared to non-DED participants. Associated factors for DED symptoms included preexisting DED (p = 0.001), refractive errors (p = 0.007), allergic conjunctivitis (p = 0.001), artificial tears use (p < 0.001), and decreased EQ-5D-5L score (p < 0.001). This study highlighted the high prevalence of DED symptoms among medical students during the pandemic and its negative impact on QoL and mental health. Notably, female gender, contact lens wear, screen time, and mask-wearing duration were not associated with DED symptoms.

Assessing Prevalence and Severity of Dry Eye Disease Across Various Types of Allergic Conjunctivitis

Background: Allergic conjunctivitis (AC) is a prevalent ocular condition triggered by environmental allergens, causing significant discomfort and reduced quality of life. Dry Eye Disease (DED), marked by ocular discomfort and visual disturbances, frequently overlaps with AC symptoms. This study examines the prevalence of DED in AC patients and explores the relationship between different AC types and DED severity. Method: A cross-sectional, observational study was conducted from June to September 2023 in the Department of Ophthalmology at a tertiary center in North India. A total of 264 AC patients aged 18 years and older with itchy eyes were included. Patients with contact lens use, recent ocular surgery, trauma, corneal pathology, or certain systemic diseases were excluded. DED was assessed using the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI), Schirmer’s test, and Tear Film Break-Up Time (TFBUT). Results: DED was found in 70% of AC patients, with 20% mild, 19% moderate, and 32% severe cases. Females were more affected (64%). VKC patients showed higher tear production and better TFBUT scores. PAC patients had the most severe DED. Conclusion: DED is common in AC patients, with PAC associated with more severe DED, while VKC shows milder symptoms. Tailored treatment approaches are needed for managing AC and DED.

Dry Eye Disease Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors Among the Middle East Population: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Dry eye disease (DED) is a common condition characterized by a loss of the tear film function, leading to symptoms of ocular discomfort and damage to the ocular surface. The prevalence and associated risk factors of DED may vary by region due to environmental, cultural, and genetic differences. The aim of the present study is to systematically review and analyze the prevalence and risk factors of DED in the Middle East (ME) region. This study adhered to the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using databases such as Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar, and PubMed to identify relevant studies published from January 2004 to July 2024. Studies included in the review were those that provided data on the prevalence and risk factors of DED in Middle Eastern populations. Data were extracted and analyzed to determine overall pooled prevalence and associated risk factors using a random-effects model. The study protocol was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) with the registration number CRD42024583897. The meta-analysis included 17 studies from 10 countries with a total of 22,087 subjects. The estimated pooled prevalence of DED in the ME region was 28.33% (95% CI: 27.74-28.93). The primary risk factors include age, female gender, and smoking. Other risks are contact lens use, prolongedscreen time (over six hours daily), diabetes, glaucoma medications, allergies, autoimmune diseases, refractive surgery, arthritis, high cholesterol, acne treatments, antihistamines, antidepressants, thyroid disease, and a history of conjunctival infections or corneal abrasions. The prevalence of DED in Middle Eastern countries was higher than the global estimate, highlighting significant regional variation. Common risk factors for DED include older age, female gender, and smoking. These findings underscore the need for targeted prevention and management strategies that address the specific risk factors prevalent in the Middle Eastern population.

Impact of dry eye disease on psychological symptoms among Chinese doctoral students studying abroad.

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of dry eye disease (DED) on depression, anxiety, and stress among Chinese doctoral students studying abroad. This is a cross-sectional study. This study enrolled 185 Chinese doctoral students pursuing education in the Philippines. DED was assessed using the Ocular Surface Disease Index, while psychological symptoms were evaluated using the abbreviated version of the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 questionnaire. A survey encompassing demographic information, potential DED risk factors, and individual habits was also administered. Of the 185 students, 129 completed the survey, of which 40 (31.0%) were male and 89 (69.0%) were female. The average age was 36.3 ± 7.0 (mean ± SD; range, 22-57) years. The prevalence of DED, depression, anxiety, and stress was 73.6% (95/129), 43.4% (56/129), 50.4% (65/129), and 22.5% (29/129), respectively. Univariate analysis revealed that aging (P < .001), prolonged visual display terminal (VDT) use (P = .004), extended paperwork time (P < .001), higher depression score (P = .006), higher anxiety score (P < .001), and higher stress score (P < .001) were associated with increased influence of DED. After adjusting for age, duration of VDT use, duration of paperwork, and depression score, age (P = .030) had significant association with DED. Additionally, after adjusting for age, duration of VDT use, duration of paperwork, and anxiety score, age (P = .026) and anxiety score (P = .047) were significantly associated with DED. Moreover, after adjusting for age, duration of VDT use, duration of paperwork, and stress score, age (P = .035) and stress score (P = .028) showed significant associations with DED. In the multivariate analysis of variance, there was a significant impact of DED severity classification on psychological distress (V = 0.19, F(9, 375) = 2.83, P = .003). Univariate analysis of variances indicated that DED severity had a significant impact on anxiety F(3, 125) = 6.06, P = .001 and stress F(3, 125) = 3.00, P = .033. A higher influence of DED was related to stress and anxiety. Anxiety and stress levels increase with the severity of DED.

Study on association of dry eye disease (DED) with visual display terminal (VDT) use among medical college students

To study the prevalence of Dry Eye Disease (DED) among undergraduate medical students using Visual Display Terminal (VDT). : Cross-sectional study was conducted on 444 students at Medical college Hospital in the department of Ophthalmology. All the consented study participants, after ruling out the exclusion criterion, underwent dry eye workup which included routine slit lamp examination and Tear film break up time (TBUT). In this study, TBUT ≤ 10 seconds was considered abnormal. They were asked to fill out an OSDI (Ocular Surface Disease Index) questionnaire (Allergen Inc, Irvine, Calif, USA). The participants were asked to answer questions related to VDT use. Statistical analysis was done using the SPSS software (IBM). Based on the OSDI questionnaire, clinically significant DED was found in 28.8%. DED was classified as mild DED in 17.1%, moderate DED in 6.3% and severe DED in 5.4% of the participants. Among those with DED, VDT use was 2 to 4 hours in 29% of the participants, VDT &amp;#62; 4 hours was seen in 32.7% of participants. Thereby, indicating that increase in VDT use had an association with increase in prevalence of DED. DED based on signs (TBUT&amp;#60; or = 5 sec) was observed in 86.3% of participants.: There is a statistically significant association between VDT use and DED among young students.

Expert opinion on the prescription practice of artificial tear formulations for the management of dry eye disease in Indian settings: A questionnaire-based survey

Clinical studies suggested that Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and Hyaluronic acid (HA) were equally effective in treating DED, other studies have shown that one treatment option outperforms the other.So, this study aimed to explore expert opinions on the use of artificial tear formulations for the effective treatment of dry eye disease (DED) in Indian settings, specifically focusing on prescribing practices for different severity levels of DED. The cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study in which data was collected through a multiple-response questionnaire. The questionnaire comprised 22 questions, covering various aspects such as the clinical characteristics of DED patients and the utilization of artificial tear formulations at different stages of the disease. Among the 54 respondents, 63% of them observed a higher prevalence of DED in individuals aged 25 to 40 years. Furthermore, 77.77% of respondents identified burning or stinging in the eyes as a significant symptom of aqueous deficiency in DED patients. As a first-line treatment for mild DED, 51.85% of participants recommended 0.5% Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) eye drops, while 44.44% suggested using combination eye drops containing polyethylene glycol and Propylene glycol (PEG-PG) for moderate DED cases. In the case of severe DED, the majority (68.52%) of respondents preferred prescribing sodium Hyaluronate (SH) eye drops.Experts have recommended the use of CMC eye drops to provide temporary relief from itchiness and pain caused by eye dryness, wind exposure or sun exposure. They have recommended the prescription of 0.5% CMC eye drops three times daily for mild DED patients.

Epidemiology of dry eye disease in Argentina

BackgroundTo evaluate the prevalence of dry eye disease (DED) and its associated risk factors in a sample of the Argentine population.MethodsA prospective cross-sectional population-based study was conducted in Argentina during April 2022 through an anonymous electronic survey that included participants aged 12 years old or older. The prevalence of symptomatic DED was evaluated using the Women's Health Study (WHS) dry eye questionnaire. In addition, a list of conditions possibly related to dry eye were evaluated in the questionnaire to assess the prevalence of potential risk factors. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed.Results10,812 subjects (mean age 44.1 ± 13.9, range 12–94 years old) answered the survey. Overall prevalence of DED was 42.1%. DED prevalence in women was 45.1% (3848 out of 8525) and in men was 30.8% (704 out of 2287). Risk factors were female sex (OR 2.78; p < 0.001), age > 60 years (OR 2.92), rheumatologic disease (OR 2.80, CI 1.62–3.13), use of digital screens for more than 6 h per day (OR 2.62; CI 1.43–2.80), glaucoma topical treatment (OR 2.05; CI 1.20–3.01), dysthyroidism (2.03; CI 1.48–2.51), and sleeping less than 7 h per day (OR 1.92; CI 1.30–2.51).ConclusionDED was found to be a prevalent condition among Argentine participants, the main risk factors were determined by sex, age, and especially those related to lifestyle in South America.

Prevalence of dry eye in people over 50 years old in Beichen district, Tianjin city: a cross-sectional population-based survey

BackgroundA cross-sectional population-based survey in the Beichen district of Tianjin was conducted to estimate the prevalence of dry eye disease (DED) among the population over 50 years old with Dry Eye Workshop (DEWS) II and Chinese expert consensus (CEC) criteria.MethodsA total of 5791 subjects over 50 years old were enrolled. Ocular surface disease index (OSDI) questionnaire, lipid layer thickness (LLT), partial blink ratio (PBR), fluorescein tear film breakup time (FBUT), Schirmer I test (SIT), fluorescein staining, meibomian gland dropout, meibomian gland expression scores (MES) and quantity scores (MQS) was assessed. Additionally, basic information, weight, disease history, living habits, anxiety, and depression condition were collected.ResultsAccording to the CEC, the prevalence of DED was 39.0%, whereas 44.0% based on DEWS II. The prevalence of DED increased with age and was substantially greater among women (41.1%, 95% CI, 39.5-42.6%) than males (35.1%, 95% CI, 33.1 -37.2%) (p < 0.001). Furthermore, the severity of DED was more severe in women (p = 0.006). The associated risk factors were age, female, depression, smoking, insomnia, and glaucoma. On the other hand, 53.6% of these populations were diagnosed as asymptomatic DED, and the morbidity was higher in males (p = 0.007).ConclusionsThe prevalence of DED in China was relatively high, which was associated with aging, female(sex), depression, smoking and sleep problems. Hence, it is crucial for clinicians and caregivers to be aware of the existence of asymptomatic DED within the susceptible population.

Occurrence of Dry Eye Disease in Type 2 Diabetic Patients at a Tertiary Care Center in Maharashtra: A Prevalence Study

Purpose: To evaluate the prevalence and clinical characteristics of dry eye disease (DED) among individuals with type 2 diabetes in a community-based setting. Additionally, the study aimed to identify factors associated with the presence of DED in this population.  Methods: A total of 136 randomly selected patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes participated in the study, undergoing comprehensive ophthalmic evaluations. These evaluations included corneal sensitivity testing, tear film break-up time (BUT) assessment, the Schirmer I test, and fundus photography. The severity of diabetic retinopathy (DR) was graded according to the International Severity Scale.  Results: Among the 136 subjects, 23 (17.1%) were diagnosed with DED. There were significant associations between DED and higher blood glucose levels (P &lt; 0.001) as well as elevated glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels (P &lt; 0.001).  Conclusions: These findings highlight the importance of incorporating dry eye assessments into the routine screening protocol for diabetic patients. The observed prevalence of DED at 17.1% in this cohort is lower than the rates reported in other studies. Importantly, individuals with diabetes who have poorer metabolic control are at a higher risk of developing DED.

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN RISKS OF OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA AND DRY EYE DISEASE

Introduction: Dry Eye Disease (DED) may lead to decreased visual function, chronic tissue changes, eyelid, conjunctival, and corneal abnormality. The prevalence of DED in Asia ranges from 21.6%–37.6%. Several studies pointed out the relationship between DED and Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). In patients with OSA, oxidative stress, hypoxia, and ocular surface inflammation increase, leading to a decrease in the functions of meibomian glands, goblet cells, corneal sensitivity, and tear production as a response to the stimulations from the lacrimal glands. The loss of conjunctival goblet cells and meibomian glands are implications of damage to the tear film quality, which results in DED. Method: This is a population-based cross-sectional study. Data were obtained from the database of Biomarker Smarthealth Research in Mendalanwangi, Sidorahayu, and Cepokomulyo Villages, which are located in Malang Regency, having risks of OSA (based on the STOP-BANG questionnaire), above ≥40 years old, and DED Examination with Tear Break-Up Time (TBUT), MGD (Meibominan Gland Dysfunction), Tear Meniscus (TM) involving a total of 518 respondents. The available data were then processed according to the variables and went through DED examinations. This study employed the purposive sampling method. Result: In this study, moderate risk of OSA suggests a significant influence on the occurrence of DED with an odds ratio (OR) 1.66 (p&lt;0.05). In addition, moderate risk of OSA predisposes ADDE (Aqueous Deficiency Dry Eye)-type and Mix-type DED with OR 2.85 and 1.23 (p&lt;0.05). High risk of OSA correlates with the occurrence of ADDE-type DED with OR 2.37 (p&lt;0.05). The age group &gt;60 years old shows a correlation with Mix-type DED with OR 2.09 (p&lt;0.05). Women have a higher predisposition to ADDE-type with OR 2.58 (p&lt;0.05). Conclusion: Moderate risk of OSA influences the occurrence of DED, both ADDE-type and Mix type; whereas high risk of OSA only correlates with ADDE-type. Older age plays a role in the occurrence of Mix-type DED and women have a higher tendency to present with ADDE- type.

Prevalence and Correlates of Dry Eye in a German Population Sample.

In this cross-sectional survey, we assessed the prevalence of dry eye disease (DED) in a representative German population sample. In addition, we examined the associations between DED, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and level of fatigue. Finally, we further validated the German version of the Standard Patient Evaluation of Eye Dryness (SPEED) questionnaire and present norm data of the German population. A random sample of German residents aged 16 years and older was recruited between October and December 2021. All participants completed the SPEED, Short Form 36, and Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory 20 questionnaires. Of the 2495 participants who completed the survey, 450 (21.6%; 95% confidence intervals 20.0-23.1) reported a SPEED total score of ≥4, indicating a positive screening for DED. DED was significantly more common in women and older age. Participants who screened positive for DED reported significantly higher levels of fatigue and lower values in all domains of HRQoL. A receiver operating characteristic curve of the SPEED was generated using an ophthalmologist's diagnosis. The area under the curve was estimated to be 0.886 (95% confidence intervals 0.858-0.913). A cutoff score ≥4 seemed to be appropriate as an indicator of DED. Cronbach's α was excellent (0.95). DED is common in the German population. We confirmed associations with sex, age, HRQoL, and fatigue level, indicating a high burden of DED. The German version of the SPEED is a valid instrument for the assessment of DED symptoms.

Prevalence of Dry Eye Disease in Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis Candidates.

To evaluate the prevalence of dry eye disease (DED) in laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) candidates. A chart review of consecutive LASIK candidates who underwent full ocular surface work-up was performed, including ocular surface disease index (OSDI), noninvasive tests (noninvasive tear breakup time [ni-TBUT], tear meniscus height, lipid layer thickness, and meibography), and invasive tests (Schirmer test I, fluorescein TBUT, corneal staining, and meibomian gland [MG] expressibility). The prevalence of DED was calculated according to the Dry Eye Workshop II (DEWS II), and Japanese and Asia Dry Eye Society (JDES/ADES) criteria. In total, 135 patients (270 eyes) were evaluated. The mean age was 32.6±8.3 years, and 62.9% were women (n=85); 19 patients (15.4%) wore contact lenses, and 31 patients (23.8%) used artificial tears. The mean OSDI was 18.2±16.9, which was abnormal in 54.1% (n=62). Inferior lid MG dropout was the sign with the highest percentage of abnormal results (61.5%; n=83). There were no differences between men and women in any test except for ni-TBUT (6.3±0.3 and 7.2±0.2, respectively; P=0.002). Dry eye disease prevalence was 25.9% and 53.3%, according to JDES/ADES and DEWS II criteria, respectively. The only significant risk factor for DED was artificial tear use for both DEWS II (odds ratio [OR]=3.5, confidence interval [CI] [1.35-9.39]) and JDES/ADES (OR=2.58, CI [1.03-6.48]). This study found a high prevalence of DED and abnormalities in LASIK candidates and highlights the importance of ocular surface evaluation before photorefractive surgery.

Dry Eye Disease Prevalence and Risk Factors in Eye Outdoor Patients Visiting a Tertiary Care Center: A Prospective Observational Study

Dry Eye Disease Prevalence and Risk Factors in Eye Outdoor Patients Visiting a Tertiary Care Center: A Prospective Observational Study

Ocular Surface Health in Connection with Anxiety and Depression: a Review.

Psychosomatic ophthalmology emerged after World War II because patients attended clinics with symptoms that were not explained by physiological findings, subsequently it became clear that psychological distress could be associated with several ocular disorders, including dry eye syndrome. Dry eye disease is a common disorder with increasing prevalence due to environmental factors such as pollution, smoking, and sleep disorders. The burden of dry eye disease affects both patients and society, making it a very important target for investigation. Numerous studies showed that dry eye disease prevalence including the severity of the symptoms of dry eye is higher in patients suffering from depression and/or anxiety. Some studies suggest the implication of serotonin in tears being dysregulated by the disorders. The current review highlights the evidence of the association between anxiety, depression, and dry eye disease and summarizes the recent advances in research in this area, together with a brief explanation of the physiology of stress that could lead to psychological disorders.

Prevalence of dry eye disease among IT students in Pakistan.

Dry eye disease (DED) is a common tear film disorder caused by decreased tear production or increased tear evaporation. The increased use of computers in the workplace has brought about the development of ocular health concerns, including dry eye disease. Therefore, this study was designed to determine the prevalence of DED associated with computer work and recommend preventing or reducing its development. This study investigated the prevalence of DED among IT students in Dera Ghazi Khan. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 327 undergraduate students of the IT department in the district of Dera Ghazi khan over 5months from September 2021 to January 2022. DED was assessed subjectively with Ocular Surface Disease Index. Data were analysed using SPSS version 21. The quantitative analysis was presented as mean and standard deviation, and qualitative variables were introduced in frequency and percentages. The chi-square test (Fisher's exact test) was used to study the significance of associations between dependent and independent variables. The mean age of the participants was 20.25 ± 1.305years (range 17-25). The prevalence of DED among computer programmers was 47.7%. This study showed that gender (p = 0.31), contact lens usage (p = 0.64), and duration of time spent on computer display units (p = 0.47) were not significant determinants of DED among computer programmers. DED is prevalent among IT students, along with different symptoms. However, further studies are required to adequately measure the prevalence of DED during longer exposure time to computer screens and explore environmental risk factors.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Dry Eye Disease in the South of Palestine.

The prevalence of dry eye disease (DED) is rising globally and needs to be urgently addressed by medical professionals because it lowers patients' quality of life. There are as yet no available data in the literature about the prevalence of and risk factors for DED in the Gaza Strip, a gap that the present study seeks to address. A cross-sectional study was carried out between March and August 2022 in Gaza governorates using a proportional stratified sampling technique. Only Gazan individuals ≥ 18 years old and able to follow the instructions were included. The Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire, which has previously been translated into Arabic and validated, was applied to evaluate DED symptoms. Subjective clinical tests for DED conducted were tear meniscus height (TMH), meibomian gland dysfunctions (MGDs), Marx line (ML), conjunctival Lissamine green staining (LGS), tear film break-up time test (TBUT), corneal fluorescein staining (CFS) and Schirmer II tear test (STT). DED was defined based on an Arab-OSDI score ≥ 13 and at least one positive clinical sign. A total of 426 participants were assessed from four areas (North Gaza Strip, 82; Gaza City, 147; Mid-Zone Gaza Strip, 62; South Gaza Strip, 135). The prevalence of DED in the present study was 31.5% (95% CI: 27.1, 36.1). Age > 50 years old (odds ratio [OR] = 10.45; 95% CI: 2.95, 37.05; P < 0.001), female gender (OR = 3.24; 95% CI: 1.40, 7.52, P = 0.006), menopause or pregnancy (OR = 2.59; 95% CI: 1.25, 5.35; P = 0.03) and pharmacotherapy (artificial tears; OR = 9.91; 95% CI: 2.77, 35.46; P < 0.001) were each associated with DED symptoms. South Gaza Strip (OR = 0.04; 95% CI: 0.01, 0.12; P < 0.001), unemployed (OR = 11.67; 95% CI: 1.43, 95.44; P = 0.02), non-consumption of caffeine (OR = 0.40; 95% CI: 0.19, 0.88; P = 0.02) and TMH < 0.2 (OR = 1.80; 95% CI: 1.02, 3.19; P = 0.04) were associated with TBUT < 5 s. LGS was associated with those > 50 years old (OR = 2.70; 95% CI: 1.38, 5.28; P = 0.004), previous refractive or ocular surface surgeries (OR = 2.97; 95% CI: 1.34, 6.59; P = 0.008) and CFS ≥ 1 (OR = 1.91; 95% CI: 1.07, 3.44; P = 0.03). Various aspects of DED were linked with different risk factors, suggesting that DED subtypes have different underlying pathophysiologies.

Demographic and Psychiatric Associations With Dry Eye in a Medicare Population.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of demographic characteristics and psychiatric comorbidity on the prevalence of dry eye disease in the American geriatric population. Data were collected from a 2011 nationwide sample of Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 years and older (N = 1,321,000). Age, sex, race/ethnicity, residential area, climate region, and income, along with psychiatric comorbidities including depression and anxiety, were collected. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to assess the relationship between demographic and psychiatric factors and the prevalence of dry eye disease. Among 21,059 patients with clinically significant dry eye, women had higher odds of having dry eye compared with men [odds ratio (OR) 2.03, 95% confidence interval (1.97-2.10)]. Asian and Native American patients had increased odds of having dry eye compared with White patients [OR 1.85 (1.69-2.02) and OR 1.51 (1.19-1.93)], while Black patients were less likely to have dry eye [OR 0.83 (0.79-0.87)]. Patients aged 75 to 84 years and 85+ were more likely to have dry eye compared with those aged 65 to 74 years [OR 1.49 (0.45-1.53) and OR 1.54 (1.48-1.60)]. Having both depression and anxiety were associated with higher odds of having dry eye [OR 2.38 (2.22-2.55)] compared with having depression alone [OR 1.95 (1.86-2.04)] or anxiety alone [OR 2.22 (2.10-2.35)]. Significant racial and regional disparities in dry eye prevalence were found. Psychiatric association with dry eye varied with age, sex, race, and residence region. Further research is needed to comprehend the underlying mechanisms, implications, and to address disparities in the diagnosis and management of dry eye.

Impact of Clinician Subjectivity on the Assessment of Dry Eye Disease Prevalence in a UK Public Health Care Patient Population.

To understand the impact of subjectivity on diagnosis rates of dry eye disease (DED) in an unbiased population. A multicenter study enrolled 818 subjects with complete report forms (465 females, 67.1 ± 16.7 years, 353 males, 65.0 ± 15.9 years). Subjects were evaluated for staining, TBUT, tear osmolarity, meibomian gland disease, and OSDI. Physicians diagnosed 48.7% of subjects as having DED, ranging from 42.9% to 62.3% between sites. Positivity rates for staining (≥ grade 1) ranged from 41.3% to 84.1% (mean = 0.8 ± 0.9 grade), TBUT (<10s) ranged from 39.1% to 61.6% (mean = 10.4 ± 6.6 seconds), osmolarity (>308 mOsm/L) ranged from 63.7% to 72.4% (mean = 319.7 ± 20.8), MGD grading ranged from 28.9% to 51.3% (mean = 0.5 ± 0.7), and symptoms measured by OSDI ranged from 57.6% to 71.0% (mean = 23.5 ± 20.5) between sites. Tear osmolarity was the most consistent between sites (max/min positivity = 114%), followed by OSDI (123%), TBUT (158%), MGD (178%), and staining (204%). DED markers were uncorrelated (average r2 = 0.05 ± 0.07). A substantial number of subjects (N = 110) exhibited positive symptoms (OSDI = 32.4 ± 15.7) and hyperosmolarity (338.1 ± 20.1 mOsm/L) but no other obvious signs of DED (MGD grade = 0.2 ± 0.4, TBUT = 13.5 ± 7.0 seconds, staining grade = 0.4 ± 0.5). Subjective signs of DED varied considerably, whereas objective measurements of OSDI and osmolarity were the most consistent between sites. A large proportion of subjects exhibited high symptoms and hyperosmolarity but no other obvious signs of dry eye disease, most of whom were undiagnosed by clinical assessment without access to the osmolarity measurement.

The Influence of Tear Film Quality on Visual Function.

The prevalence of dry eye disease (DED) is increasing globally, resulting in a variety of eye symptoms characterized by discomfort and visual disturbances. The accurate diagnosis of the disease is often challenging and complex, requiring specialized diagnostic tools. This study aimed to investigate the impact of tear film instability on visual function and to evaluate the value of post-blink blur time (PBBT) as an alternative method for assessing tear film stability. The study included 62 subjects: 31 with subjective symptoms of DED (Group A) and a control group consisting of 31 healthy participants (Group B). Symptoms were assessed using the standard Schein questionnaire, supplemented with additional questions. PBBT was measured using standard Snellen charts to investigate a potential association between PBBT and tear film dysfunction. Additional clinical assessments included tear film break-up time (TBUT). Statistically significant differences were observed in the average values of PBBT and TBUT between the examined groups. The average PBBT was 8.95 ± 5.38 s in the group with DED and 14.66 ± 10.50 s in the control group, p < 0.001. Group A exhibited an average TBUT of 4.77 ± 2.37 s, while Group B had a TBUT of 7.63 ± 3.25 s, p < 0.001. Additionally, a strong positive correlation was identified between PBBT and TBUT values (r = 0.455; p < 0.001). The research confirms that tear film stability has an important role in the refraction of light and the maintenance of optical quality of vision. PBBT could potentially function as an objective and clinically significant screening test for DED.