title: [Updated incidence of dry eye syndrome in Germany].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Dry eye is one of the most common eye surface disorders. Patients suffer in particular from annoying subjective symptoms that compromise quality of life. The aim of the study was to find out when patients consult ophthalmologists in Germany and what symptoms they present.
  
  
  METHODS
  170 patients treated at ophthalmological practices in Bavaria, Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt with dry eye were surveyed regarding their symptoms.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The majority of those questioned were 40 years of age or older (88 %) (average: 60), female (59 %) and described a variety of subjective symptoms (65 %). More than five different concurrent symptoms were named. There is a recognisable increase in cases - by more than 3.5 times - at the age of forty (in women) and fifty (in men).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We hope to contribute with the data obtained to a more complete understanding of this highly complex pathological process. A further aim is to facilitate recognition of this mostly chronic condition in its early stages when the symptoms are still poorly defined. The data on the German population obtained here should become part of a comparative analysis within the international context. Despite considerable scientific effort, dry eye remains a difficult challenge for both patients and attending physicians.
authors.affiliation: Klinik und Poliklinik für Neurologie, MLU Halle-Wittenberg, Halle.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Posa
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Augenheilkunde, FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sel
authors.affiliation: Augenarzpraxis Volkach, Augenarztpraxis, Volkach.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dietz
authors.affiliation: Augenarztpraxis Halle, Augenarztpraxis, Halle.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sander
authors.affiliation: Institut für Anatomie II, FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bräuer
authors.affiliation: Institut für Anatomie II, FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Paulsen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015352:Dry Eye Syndromes / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D055815:Young Adult