SEVERITY AND PREDICTIVE FACTORS OF DRY EYE SYNDROME: A CLINICAL AND FUNCTIONAL ANALYSIS

The severity of Dry Eye Syndrome (DES) varies widely among patients and is influenced by multiple factors. This study investigates both the clinical and functional severity of DES and identifies predictive factors associated with each aspect.

A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 128 DES patients at the Ophthalmology Department of internal forces security La
Marsa Tunis

Data from 128 DES patients were analyzed. Clinical severity was assessed through detailed ocular surface examinations, while functional severity was evaluated using the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI).

Severe DES was observed in 55.5% of cases based on clinical assessment and in 59.8% according to OSDI severity. Predictors of clinical severity included advanced age (p=0.011) and Sjögren’s syndrome (p=0.036). Functional severity (OSDI) was significantly associated with female sex (p=0.021), menopause (p=0.004), cataract surgery (p=0.012), and Demodex infestation (p=0.027). A notable discordance was found between clinical and functional severity scores (Kendall Tau=0.011), indicating that clinical findings often do not align with patient-reported symptoms.

These findings underscore the multifactorial nature of DES and the complexity of factors affecting both clinical and functional severity. The results highlight the need for a comprehensive approach in diagnosing and managing DES to address both clinical findings and patient-reported outcomes.