Curr Eye Res. 2021 Mar;46(3):294-301. doi: 10.1080/02713683.2020.1801758. Epub 2020 Aug 19.

Gender-Specific Differences in Signs and Symptoms of Dry Eye Disease.

Current eye research

Maria Borrelli, Andreas Frings, Gerd Geerling, David Finis

PMID: 32735461 DOI: 10.1080/02713683.2020.1801758

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Dry eye disease (DED) is a multifactorial disease of the ocular surface characterized by loss of homeostasis of the tear film. Epidemiological studies suggest it occurs more frequently in women than men. The aim of this retrospective analysis was to determine whether patients with DED show gender-specific differences in symptoms and signs.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 107 patients was conducted at the Department of Ophthalmology of the University of Düsseldorf - Germany. After completing the OSDI questionnaire, the patients underwent objective refraction and were asked about the following symptoms: burning, itching, foreign body sensation, epiphora, sticky eyes, pain, red eyes and swollen eyelids. Furthermore, they underwent an evaluation of the following signs: lipid layer thickness, non-invasive break-up-time (NI-BUT), conjunctival hyperemia, lid parallel conjunctival folds, meibography, Schirmer test and tear meniscus height, ocular surface staining, expressibility of meibomian glands.

RESULTS: Of the 107 patients (56.2 ± 17.3 years) 75 were women and 32 men. Women reported significantly more often eyelid swelling (

CONCLUSION: Although the majority of the investigated parameters did not show gender-specific differences, women reported higher OSDI scores. These findings could be explained by an increased frequency of neuropathic symptoms or ocular surface sensitivity in women or higher resilience of men to consult an ophthalmologist. Sex may have an effect on the clinical characteristics of DED, but further studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Keywords: Dry eye disease; gender; signs; symptoms

Publication Types

• Journal Article