Ophthalmology in China ›› 2024, Vol. 33 ›› Issue (2): 120-125.doi: 10.13281/j.cnki.issn.1004-4469.2024.02.007

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Clinical characteristics of dry eye outpatients in China: a multicenter study

Ren Jie1, 2, 3, Liu Chang1, 2, Zhou Qizhi2, 4, Zeng Qingyan2, 5, Li Ling1, 2, Dou Zexia1, 2, Wang Congxiang2, 6, Chen Tiehong7, Lu Jing8, Yan Yanshuang9, 10, Niu Xiaoxia11, Sun Xuguang1, 2, 12, Li Shaowei1,2, 13   

  1. 1 Beijing Aier Intech Eye Hospital, Beijing 100021, China; 2 Aier Corneal Institute, Beijing 100021, China; 3 Department of Ophthalmology, Beijing Luhe Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 101149, China; 4 Chongqing Optometry Ophthalmic Hospital, Chongqing 400000, China; 5 Hankou Aier Eye Hospital, Wuhan 430060, China; 6 Changsha Aier Eye Hospital, Changsha 410015, China; 7 Shenyang Aier Eye Hospital, Shenyang 110003, China; 8 Chengdu Aier Eye Hospital, Chengdu 610000, China; 9 Guanzhou Aier Eye Hospital, Guangzhou 510040, China; 10 Hainan Aier New Hope Eye Hospital, Haikou 460000, China; 11 Harbin Aier Eye Hospital, Harbin 150000, China; 12 Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100730, China; 13 Aier School of Ophthalmology, Central South University, Changsha 410000, China
  • Received:2022-10-28 Online:2024-03-25 Published:2024-03-23
  • Contact: Li Shaowei, Email: lishaowei@aierchina.com

Abstract: Objective To analyze the clinical characteristics associated with dry eye disease (DED) in China. Design Multicenter clinical research. Participants A total of 4497 patients with a diagnosis of DED from 8 Aier Eye Hospitals (Shenyang, Beijing, Harbin, Chongqing, Changsha, Chengdu, Wuhan and Guangzhou) in China. Methods The clinical data of patients with DED from June 2017 to June 2019 were collected. The Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI), the Chinese Dry Eye Questionnaire was administered, and ocular surface staining, Schirmer’s test, and fluorescein breakup time test (FBUT) were performed, and meibomian scores were calculated. The patients were classified into North group (Beijing, Shenyang, Harbin) and South group (Chongqing, Wuhan, Changsha, Chengdu, Guangzhou). The types of DED were purely aqueous deficient, purely evaporative and mixed-type groups. The severity of DED was graded into mild, moderate and severe. Main Outcome Measures OSDI, China Dry Eye Questionnaire, FBUT, Schirmer’s test, corneal fluorescent staining and meibomian gland score. Results A total of 4497 patients were included in the study. 127 cases (3.0%) were classified as having purely aqueous-deficient dry eye, 2308 cases (53.7%) were classified as having purely evaporative dry eye resulting from meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), and 1864 cases (43.4%) were classified as having mixed-type dry eye. Overall, 92.8% of these patients showed signs of MGD. Among the patients, 3970 cases (88.3%) were mild, 381 cases (8.5%) were moderate and 119 cases (2.6%) were severe. The Schirmer test in North group (8.1±6.6 mm) was lower than that in South group (9.6±7.4)mm (t=-6.470, P<0.001). OSDI in North group (22.3±14.4) was higher than that in South group (20.7±13.2) (t=3.652, P<0.001), and meibomian scores in North group (1.6±0.7) was higher than that in South group (1.5±0.7) (t=5.351, P<0.001). The proportions of moderate (9.9%) and severe (3.5%) DED were higher in North group than that in South group (5.4%, 0.9%). Conclusion The proportion of dry eye patients associated with MGD is very high in many dry eye clinics in China. The proportions of moderate and severe DED were higher in North group than in South group in China. (Ophthalmol CHN, 2024, 33: 120-125)

Key words:  , dry eye disease, meibomian gland dysfunction, multicenter study