Validation of the Modified Schein Dry Eye Symptom Questionnaire and Comparison With the Ocular Surface Disease Index

This study evaluated the validity and diagnostic efficacy of a modified Schein dry eye questionnaire and compared it to the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI).

The original Schein survey was modified to allow numerical scoring on a 0 to 24 scale and evaluated in prospective studies in normal and dry eye subjects. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis for test efficacy in aqueous deficient dry eye (ADDE) and evaporative dry eye (EDE) related to meibomian gland dysfunction was determined.

Dry eye subtype, age and gender were statistically significant in explaining variation in modified Schein scores (n = 377; general linear model; all P values < 0.006) whereas for Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) only age and gender were significant, but not dry eye subtype. The modified Schein ROC curve had an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.693 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.635-0.753), with cutpoint of 7.5 (sensitivity of 0.75, specificity of 0.55). Similarly, the OSDI had an AUC of 0.685 (95% CI, 0.610-0.760), at a cutpoint of 10.4 (sensitivity of 0.75, specificity of 0.55). Modified Schein and OSDI correlated well (Pearson r = 0.81; P < 0.001). Symptom change for the modified Schein with artificial tear treatment was significant in EDE subjects (Dunnet's tests, P value < 0.001).

The modified Schein questionnaire is rapid to administer and score and compares well with the OSDI for test efficacy. Moreover, it differentiates normals from ADDE and EDE subtypes and is responsive to dry eye treatment. These attributes make the modified Schein survey an attractive dry eye symptom characterization instrument.

The modified Schein symptom survey, validated against clinical diagnosis and an existing survey, provides a new, efficacious diagnostic and treatment monitoring instrument in dry eye disease.