A multicenter cross-sectional survey of dry eye clinical characteristics and practice patterns in Korea: the DECS-K study

Abstract

Purpose: To compare the proportions of patients satisfying Korean dry eye guidelines and Asia Dry Eye Society (ADES) diagnostic criteria and to describe the clinical characteristics and practice patterns of dry eye patients in Korea.

Study design: Prospective observational study.

Methods: This study enrolled 160 patients, with 158 patients analyzed. ADES guidelines were applied to dry eye patients satisfying the Korean dry eye guidelines. Risk factors for dry eye (e.g. visual display terminal [VDT] use) were evaluated. Dry eye subtypes were categorized as aqueous-deficient or evaporative. Objective signs (e.g. corneal and keratoconjunctival staining scores, tear break-up time [TBUT], and Schirmer test) and symptoms (Dry Eye-Related Quality of Life Score [DEQS] and Ocular Surface Disease Index [OSDI] questionnaire) were evaluated. Treatment patterns were also recorded.

Results: Patients (mean age 43.1 years) were mainly women (85.4%), with a high proportion (77.2%) of VDT users. Concordance between Korean and ADES guidelines was high (94.3%), with most patients (94.3%) having tear film instability (TBUT ≤ 5 s). Evaporative dry eye occurred in 60.1% and aqueous-deficient in 39.9% of cases. Objective signs were significantly better in evaporative than in aqueous-deficient dry eye. The DEQS bothersome ocular symptoms' score was significantly higher in VDT users than in non-users. OSDI symptom severity and DEQS were significantly correlated (p < 0.001). The most common treatments were hyaluronic acid (33.5%) and diquafosol (15.2%), the latter used mainly for mild and evaporative dry eye.

Conclusion: The study showed high concordance between Korean and ADES diagnostic guidelines, with most patients having tear film instability.