Abstract
Purpose: :
The primary objective of this study was to compare the symptom profile in SS vs. NSS dry eye patients.Methods An internet survey was conducted among people who purchased any artificial tear or Restasis in the past 2 years and had an Ocular Surface Disease Index score >12. SS patients were told they had SS by a physician or were taking Evoxac or Salagen. Patients were asked to characterize their dry eye problems severity, chronicity, and the time of day when symptoms were most bothersome. The IDEEL-Symptom Bother questionnaire which inquires about 20 symptoms of dry eye, was administered to all qualifying participants. Odds ratios (OR) for the likelihood of having SS were calculated for each symptom question.
Results: :
101,393 Marketing Technologies Solutions research panel participants received an e-mail invitation to participate in a survey; 20,887 responded, 10,884 met inclusion criteria and 3,042 completed the survey. Of these, 117 were SS and 2925 NSS patients. Only 10% of NSS patients considered their dry eye problem to be severe, while 32% of SS patients choose the severe rating. Approximately 1/3 of both populations reported their symptoms were worse in the evening, 1/3 in the morning or midday, and 1/3 at no particular time of day. 68% of SS patients reported constant symptoms while only 36% of NSS reported constant symptomatology. The most bothersome symptom was eye dryness in both populations. The 2nd and 3rd most bothersome symptoms were gritty/sandy eyes and burning/stinging (respectively) for SS patients. NSS patients’ 2nd and 3rd most bothersome symptoms were burning/stinging and irritated eyes (respectively). Distinguishing SS symptoms were: eyes felt gritty or sandy (OR=2.0), felt like eyes had been scratched (OR=2.4), puffy or swollen eyes (OR=2.4), something in my eye (OR=2.5), frequent or rapid blinking (OR=2.3), difficulty blinking because of little or no moisture in eyes (OR=3.4), sensitivity to light, glare or wind (OR=2.0), sensitivity to AC and heated air (OR=2.0,) and headaches associated with dry eye symptoms (OR=2.3).Conclusion In general SS patients were more symptomatic than NSS patients. Difficulty in blinking because of little or no moisture was the most distinguishing symptom between SS and NSS patients in this study.
Keywords: clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: prevalence/incidence • cornea: tears/tear film/dry eye • differentiation