Prevalence of dry eye in United States remains a question

A systematic review and meta-analysis published in JAMA Ophthalmology highlights the uncertainty of dry eye and meibomian gland dysfunction (MDG) prevalence and incidence in the United States.

“Population-based epidemiological studies that use consistent and validated definitions of dry eye and MGD are needed for higher-certainty estimates of dry eye and MGD prevalence and incidence in the United States,” the authors wrote.

A total of 13 studies, including 10 that reported on dry eye prevalence, 2 on dry eye incidence, and 3 on MGD prevalence, were included.

Dry eye prevalence was estimated at 8.1% and MGD prevalence at 21.2% in the meta-analysis.

In a population ≥18 years of age and ≥68 years, dry eye incidence was 3.5% and 7.8%, respectively. No studies reported MGD incidence.

Reference
McCann P, Abraham AG, Mukhopadhyay A, et al. Prevalence and Incidence of Dry Eye and Meibomian Gland Dysfunction in the United States: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2022;doi: 10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2022.4394. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36301551.