Abstract: Dry eye and quality of life

[Dry eye and quality of life.]
Arch Soc Esp Oftalmol. 2009 Sep;84(9):451-8.Links
[Article in Spanish]

García-Catalán MR, Jerez-Olivera E, Benítez-Del-Castillo-Sánchez JM.
Unidad de Superficie e Inflamación Ocular del Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Madrid, España.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the relation between dry eye severity and quality of life.

METHODS: 40 participants (19 with dry eye and 21 normal controls) underwent slit-lamp examination and Schirmer test to evaluate dry eye severity. Quality of life was evaluated with OSDI (Ocular Surface Disease Index) and VFQ-25 (Visual Function Questionnaire-25).

RESULTS: The OSDI total score was significantly greater in patients suffering dry eye. However, BUT (break-up time) and VFQ-25 total score were significantly lower than in control subjects. In dry eye patients several statistically significant correlations (p<0.05) were found: OSDI with VFQ-25 total score (r=-0.62), BUT with corneal staining (r=-0.50) and Schirmer (0.66), BUT with OSDI total score, OSDI-symptoms and OSDI-triggers (r=-0.56, -0.56, -0.60); corneal staining with OSDI total score and OSDI-symptoms (r=0.55, 0.54), BUT with VFQ-25 total score, VFQ-25 ocular pain, mental function and role function. (r=0.56, 0.51, 0.63, 0.56); corneal staining with VFQ-25 total score, VFQ-25 ocular pain and near vision (r=-0.57, -0.49, -0.62).

CONCLUSION: Quality of life is decreased in patients with dry eye. OSDI and VFQ-25 questionnaires are valid instruments for measuring the impact of dry eye disease. BUT and corneal staining provide an indirect measurement of quality of life (Arch Soc Esp Oftalmol 2009; 84: 451-458).