Chronic Dry Eye Information:

Prevalence of Chronic Dry Eye

It is commonly accepted that the prevalence of Chronic Dry Eye increases with age and is greater in women, especially after menopause. This is consistent with the role of androgens in stimulations of lacrimal and meibomian glands. The decline in androgen levels after menopause may be a significant factor in increased prevalence of Chronic Dry Eye.

Numerical estimates of the prevalence of Chronic Dry Eye in the United States vary. There may be several reasons for this. Many patients mistakenly attribute the symptoms to other causes – such as “getting older” – and assume these symptoms are simply “something they have to live with.” As a result, many patients tend to endure the condition, or to self-treat with over-the-counter products, without consulting a physician or obtaining a definitive diagnosis.

Some estimates place the prevalence of Chronic Dry Eye at more than 3 million people in the United States. Other sources indicate that the prevalence may be higher – with as many as 23 million people frequently experiencing dry eye. Findings from two sources are listed below.

Findings of a Cross-Sectional Survey
Conducted in the U.S.¹

Survey Design¹

Survey of 39,876 US women participating in the Womens' Health Study about a history of diagnosed Dry Eye Syndrome (DES) [Chronic Dry Eye] and dry eye symptoms

Main outcome measure: DES defined as the presence of clinically diagnosed DES or severe symptoms (both dryness and irritation constantly or often). Age-specific prevalence of DES was calculated and overall prevalence adjusted to the age distribution of women in the Unitred States. Logistic regression was used to examine associations between DES and other demographic factors.

Survey Results¹

• Prevalence of Chronic Dry Eye ranges from approximately 5.7% of women ≤49 years old to 7.8% among women ≥50 years old
• Hence, at least 3.2 million women ≥50 years old have Chronic Dry Eye

Findings From The 2005 Gallup Survey
of Dry Eye Sufferers²

Survey Design²

Phase I: Telephone interviews were conducted with a national sample of 2,000 teens and adults, 13 years of age and older. Interviews were conducted during the period of July 5 – August 1, 2005.

Phase II: Interviews were conducted with a national sample of 506 adult dry eye sufferers.  Interviews were conducted during the period of May 12 – June 15, 2005. These consisted of 306 online interviews and 200 self-administered mail questionnaires. The total sample was weighted by age to the parameters of frequent dry eye sufferers identified in Phase I of The 2004 Gallup Study of Dry Eye Sufferers. 

Prevalence among Contact Lens Wearers (n=2000)²

• Contact lens wearers are especially prone to dry eye. The incidence of suffering from dry eye is much higher among contact lens wearers (64%) than among those who wear glasses only (39%) or those who do not require vision correction (28%)

Frequency of Dry Eye Problems (n=506)²

• Most dry eye sufferers experience the problem on a daily basis (61%), including 40% who encounter this problem several times a day

Chronic Problem (n=506)²

• Three in four (76%) dry eye sufferers have been suffering with dry eye for more than two years

Seeking Out a Physician (n=506)²

• 33% of dry eye sufferers have consulted an ophthalmologist about their dry eye problem and slightly fewer (29%) have consulted an optometrist
• 27% of dry eye sufferers discussed the problem with a general practitioner
• One in four (26%) have not consulted a health care professional about their dry eye
• This is especially true of younger sufferers 18-44 years of age, over a third (35%) of whom have not spoken to a doctor about their dry eye problem

Thoughts About Dry Eye (n=506)²

• Six in ten (61%) are extremely concerned about long-term effects of dry eye

References:
1. Schaumberg DA, Sullivan DA, Buring JE, Dana MR. Prevalence of dry eye syndrome among US women. Am J Ophthalmol. 2003;136:2318-2326.
2. Multi-Sponsor Surveys, Inc.The 2005 Gallup Study of Dry Eye Sufferers: Summary Volume. August 2005:1-160.