Dry Eye Disease Impacts General Health, Productivity

In this cross-sectional study, adults ≥18 years with (n = 1003) or without (n = 1006) self-reported dry eye disease were included.

More comorbidities and greater exposure to adverse environmental conditions were reported in individuals with DED. Individuals with DED had worse National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire total scores and EuroQol 5-dimensions 5-levels than individuals without DED.

When DED was associated with high discomfort, Ocular Comfort Index, Visual Function Questionnaire, Work Productivity and Activity Impairment questionnaire scores were worse than when DED was associated with low discomfort.

The authors concluded that DED had a substantial impact on functional vision, general health status, and productivity, which worsened with eye dryness score.

Reference

Reza Dana R, Meunier J, Markowitz JT, et al. Patient-reported burden of dry eye disease in the United States: results of an online cross-sectional survey. Am J Ophthal. Epub ahead of print. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajo.2020.03.044.