Depression is linked to dry eye disease symptoms in elderly patients

A paper published in Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science has revealed an association between dry eye disease (DED) and depression in patients with a normal or slightly reduced tear production.

The investigation led by Dr Joon Young Hyon, Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Korea, examined 657 Korean patients aged 65 years and over. A six-item Dry Eye Questionnaire was used to assess DED symptoms. The Schirmer test, fluorescein stain score and tear film break-up time (BUT) was used to evaluate DED signs. The Korean equivalent of the Short Geriatric Depression Scale (SGDS-K) was used to identify depression.

Binary logistic linear analysis highlighted the female sex, living in an urban area and a Schirmer score of less than 5 mm as factors contributing towards the risk of developing DED.

Depression was not affected by DED patients with a Schirmer score of less than 5 mm, but was affected by a Schirmer score of more than 5 mm. SGDS-K score was associated with several positive answers in the Dry Eye Questionnaire.