Dry Eye Symptoms and Quality of Life

Dry eye is a multifactorial condition that affects 5-35% of the population.1 Common symptoms of this condition include eye irritation, heaviness of the eyelids, visual disturbances, tearing and light sensitivity.2 This condition significantly decrease patient health related quality of life (HRQOL). Clinical studies shown poor correlation between clinical test symptoms and self perceived severity of the disease.7 Studies also have shown that utilities of more severe dry eye similar to condition such as class III/IV angina affecting the QOL.6 Correlation between reduce quality of life and presenting symptoms is unknown compared to other factors such as cost and inconvenience of treatment. This implicates on the management of the condition. In addition, there is a significant socioeconomic burden. In 2009, 54,051 patients sought treatment for dry eye in the Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC). In total, the costs for dry eye medication amounted to $181,354.17.4

Although different questionnaires have been used in assessment of dry eye, to date, there has been no study which evaluates the extent of questionnaires correlate with change in quality of life.

This is particularly important since symptoms of dry eyes are episodic and questionnaires administered at one time point may or may not reflect the true disease morbidity. Two of such questionnaires are the SPEED questionnaires which consist of 2 questions graded on a scale of 0-3 on frequency and grade 0-4 on severity and SANDE questionnaires which consist of 3 questions based on symptoms of frequency and severity.

Both of the questionnaires have been published and validated and utilized in the eye clinic by the investigators.

Over the last few years, SNEC/SERI has built up a dedicated team of dry eye researchers for trials and evaluation of diagnostic devices. There is an increasing interest internationally, especially from industry, to partner us for testing of commercial products.