Children with dry eye type conditions may report less severe symptoms than adult patients.
BACKGROUND
To compare the symptom scores of children with those of adults with the same degree of mild ocular surface signs.


METHODS
This study included patients with at least one ocular surface symptom and sign. Data obtained from 45 subjects aged 8.79 ± 2.95 yr (Mean ± SD) (pediatric group) and 45 adults aged 52.87 ± 10.87 yr (adult group) who were matched to each pediatric patient based on ocular surface signs were analyzed. Demographic data including age and sex; parameters of ocular surface signs including fluorescein staining score, tear film breakup time and Schirmer test score; symptom scores including ocular surface disease index (OSDI) and visual analog scale (VAS) were assessed and compared between the two groups.


RESULTS
Significant differences emerged in sex ratio as well as in age between the two groups (P < 0.001, for both). Regarding ocular surface signs and tear film tests, the study revealed no significant differences in fluorescein staining score (1.44 ± 1.95 vs. 1.40 ± 1.68 P = 0.913), tear film break up time (4.96 ± 1.94 vs. 3.82 ± 1.85 s, P = 0.612) and Schirmer score (12.79 ± 9.05 vs. 10.11 ± 8.45 mm / 5 min, P = 0.370). Regarding dry eye symptoms, both OSDI and VAS were significantly lower in the pediatric group (P = 0.001 and < 0.001, respectively) than in the adult group.


CONCLUSIONS
Pediatric patients with mild ocular surface damage may report fewer dry eye symptoms compared to adult patients with similar stages of ocular surface damage.
Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, 166 Gumiro, Bundang-gu, Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do 463-707, Korea.
Sang Beom
SB
Han
Hee Kyung
HK
Yang
Joon Young
JY
Hyon
Jeong-Min
JM
Hwang
D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D003229:Conjunctival Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D015352:Dry Eye Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005141:Eyelid Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D019793:Fluorescein; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D015590:Fluorophotometry; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013194:Staining and Labeling / Q000379:methods; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013666:Tears / Q000378:metabolism
D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D019793:Fluorescein