Jan 25 2009

More Than 3.2 Million U.S. Women Have Dry Eye Syndrome

Published by at 9:46 pm under Dry eyes

Dry eye syndrome (DES) is a common ocular problem in the United States, particularly among older women.

The first large-scale study of DES among U.S. women reveals that DES leading to a clinical diagnosis or severe symptoms affects more than 3.2 million American middle-aged and older women, including many in their 40s and 50s.

Researchers with Boston’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, and Harvard Medical School surveyed 39,876 U.S. women participating in the Women’s Health Study about a history of diagnosed DES and dry eye symptoms.  DES was defined as the presence of clinically diagnosed DES or severe symptoms (both dryness and irritation constantly or often).

Results showed that the prevalence of DES increased with age, from 5.7 percent among women less than 50 years old to 9.8 percent among women 75 or older.

The age-adjusted prevalence of DES was 7.8 percent, or 3.23 million women aged 50 or older in the United States.

Other findings:

  • Compared with whites, Hispanic and Asian-American women were more likely to report severe symptoms, but not clinically diagnosed DES
  • There were no significant differences by income, but more educated women were less likely to have DES
  • Women from the South had the highest prevalence of DES, though the magnitude of geographic differences was modest.

The authors of the study noted that further research is necessary to better understand DES and its impact on public health and quality of life.

Learn more about dry eye syndrome, including advice on treatment and nutrition.
 
Source:  Prevalence of dry eye syndrome among US women, Schaumberg, et al, Am J Ophthalmol. 2003 Aug;136(2):318-26.

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