Key questions in a dry eye history

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Clinical Research

Background:

• Dry eye disease is a prevalent condition with multifactorial causes.
• Identifying individuals at risk and those with existing symptoms is crucial for timely intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a comprehensive dry eye history questionnaire.
• To assess primary and secondary symptoms and identify risk factors associated with dry eye syndromes.

Main Methods:

• Literature review to inform questionnaire development.
• Inclusion of questions on age, sex, contact lens wear, medications, and systemic/ocular factors.
• Consideration of assistant-administered questionnaires for routine screening.

Main Results:

• The questionnaire effectively identifies current dry eye symptoms.
• It also identifies individuals at higher risk for developing dry eye, particularly those exposed to provocative factors like contact lens wear.
• Screening results aid in identifying patients requiring further diagnostic evaluation.

Conclusions:

• The developed questionnaire serves as a valuable tool for dry eye screening.
• It assists in early detection and risk assessment, facilitating appropriate patient management and differential diagnosis.