The epidemiology of dry eye disease in the UK: The Aston dry eye study

Cross-sectional studies on dry eye disease (DED) have relied on different diagnoses hindering conclusions about the disease epidemiology. This study offers an insight into DED epidemiology in the UK using prior and recent diagnostic recommendations.

Study participants comprised 282 volunteers from Birmingham, UK (median 40 years, range 18-88 years, 56% females). DED was defined by the Tear Film Ocular Surface Dry Eye Workshop II (TFOS DEWS II) criteria, based on a positive symptom score with the Dry Eye Questionnaire (DEQ-5) and Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI), and one of the following homeostasis markers: non-invasive tear break-up time of < 10 s (Oculus Keratograph 5M); the highest osmolarity value of ≥ 308 mOsm/L among eyes or an interocular osmolarity difference of > 8 mOsm/L (TearLab Osmolarity System); or > 5 corneal spots, >9 conjunctival spots or lower/upper lid-wiper-epitheliopathy staining of ≥ 2 mm length and ≥ 25% width (Oculus Keratograph 5 M). In addition, the Women's Health Study (WHS) criteria, based on symptoms or a prior dry eye diagnosis, was assessed. DED risk factors were gathered using a self-administered questionnaire.

DED prevalence by the TFOS DEWS II criteria was 32.1% (95% confidence interval 25.5-37.7% and 29.5% (95% confidence interval 24.4-35.1% by the WHS criteria. Female sex, systemic and/or ocular health conditions, short sleep duration and prolonged outdoor leisure time spent were significant DED risk factors (p ≤ 0.05).

Approximately one-third of the adult UK population have DED, aligning with the prevalence reported in multiple counties globally. Female sex, systemic/ocular health conditions, short sleep duration and prolonged outdoor leisure time are positive predictors of DED.