[Dry eye and quality of life].
OBJECTIVE
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).


CONCLUSIONS
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.
García-Catalán
M R
MR
Servicio de Oftalmología, Unidad de Superficie e Inflamación Ocular del Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Madrid, España. mariadelrociogarciacatalan@gmail.com
Jerez-Olivera
E
E
Benítez-Del-Castillo-Sánchez
J M
JM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015352:Dry Eye Syndromes / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D012395:Rose Bengal; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013666:Tears / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology
D012395:Rose Bengal