Abstract
Purpose :
The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical characteristics and practice pattern of patients with dry eye disease (DED) among ophthalmologists across Mexico.
Methods :
A multi-center, cross-sectional study was conducted among patients with DED who visited ophthalmologists in Mexico. Subjective symptoms, patient's background, ocular surface features, and tear function were evaluated. Main outcome measures were tear break-up time (TBUT), Schirmer I value, kerato-conjunctival staining score, and dry eye symptom questionnaire score.
Results :
Initially, 5802 subjects were enrolled, and 5382 cases 41% male and 59 female; mean age, 45± 12years) were included in the final analysis. The most common subjective symptoms were red eye44%, followed by foreign body sensation 28%. The most prevalent past medical history reported was systemic arterial hypertension (21%) followed by Diabetes mellitus (19%) From every 10 patients, 2 (22%) had previous ophthalmological history (being DED the most common previously diagnosed disease), and 37% of the patients with symptoms were being treated with artificial tears. Overall, 73% of patients had a shortened TBUT (≤5 s), and 50% had an aqueous tear deficiency (Schirmer I value ≤5 mm). In our study DED prevalence was 51% and the most prescribed treatment was preservative- free artificial tears (81%) followed by lid hygiene, and topical mild steroids.
Conclusions :
Shortened TBUT is the most common feature of dry eye, regardless of subtype. The most common systemic disease association was systemic hypertension and diabetes. Most of the patients presented with DED despite being treated with artificial tears. The current treatment choice mainly consisted of preservative hyaluronic acid, lid hygiene, local dry heat, and steroidal eye drops. Mexican ophthalmologist may have changed their preferred practice pattern after the publication of the DEWS and DEWS II reports.
This abstract was presented at the 2019 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Vancouver, Canada, April 28 - May 2, 2019.