Posters

To estimate prevalence of hyperosmolarity and tear film instability in various refractive and ocular conditions at ophthalmology clinics in USA

Poster Details

First Author: M.McDonald USA

Co Author(s):                        

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To estimate prevalence of hyperosmolarity and tear film instability in various refractive and ocular conditions at ophthalmology clinics in USA.

Setting:

New York, New York Adjunct Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology Tulane University Health Sciences Center New Orleans, Louisiana Ophthalmic Consultants of Long Island Lynbrook, New York

Methods:

9446 subjects, across multiple sites in USA, had tear osmolarity measured on both eyes using the TearLab Osmolarity System. The higher value of the two eyes and the inter eye difference were recorded. Osmolarity > 308 mOSm/L and/or inter eye difference >8mOsm/L were categorized as dry eye. Subjects were categorized by refractive conditions into PRK, LASIK and cataract. Contact lens wearers, subjects taking artificial tears and those diagnosed with glaucoma, i.e. taking regular IOP controlling medication, were also classified and prevalence of dry eye disease was estimated.

Results:

The mean age was 55.9±17.9 years with 66.2% (n=6250) females. 159 subjects had PRK, 689 had LASIK, and 1956 had cataract surgery. DED prevalence was 64.2%, 61.5%, and 62.5% of PRK, LASIK, and cataract subjects. 1936 subjects wore contact lenses (CL), 560 were using glaucoma medication, and 4243 used artificial tears. DED was measured in 60.3%, 65%, and 61.8% of CL, glaucoma medication, and artificial tears users. 2313 subjects reported fluctuation in vision and DED was observed in 1476 (63.8%, osmolarity: 319.5±17.7 mOsm/L). 858 subjects had CL discomfort and 542 (63.2%) had DED (317.1±15.3 mOsm/L). The prevalence of other concurrent symptoms and signs of DED will be discussed in each group.

Conclusions:

The results of this large prevalence study demonstrates that DED is highly prevalent amongst reported refractive conditions and ocular medication in US. The measurement of osmolarity serves as an objective biomarker of tear film quality for diagnosis of DED.

Financial Disclosure:

NONE