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

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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.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank David P. Figgitt PhD, ISMPP CMPP™ and Robert A. Furlong PhD, Content Ed Net, for providing professional medical writing assistance, with funding from the Asia Dry Eye Society and Santen Pharmaceuticals, Co., Ltd.

Funding

This study was supported by the Asia Dry Eye Society and Santen Pharmaceuticals, Co., Ltd.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ophthalmology, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea

    Youngsub Eom, Jong Suk Song & Hyo Myung Kim

  2. Department of Ophthalmology, Korea University Ansan Hospital, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea

    Youngsub Eom

  3. Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seongnam, Republic of Korea

    Joon Young Hyon

  4. Department of Ophthalmology, Institute of Vision Research, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea

    Hyung Keun Lee

  5. Department of Ophthalmology, Korea University Guro Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea

    Jong Suk Song

  6. Department of Ophthalmology, Korea University Anam Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Inchon-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, (02841) 73, Republic of Korea

    Hyo Myung Kim

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Correspondence to Hyo Myung Kim.

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Y. Eom, None; J. Y. Hyon, None; H. K. Lee, None; J. S. Song, None; H. M. Kim, None.

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Eom, Y., Hyon, J., Lee, H. et al. A multicenter cross-sectional survey of dry eye clinical characteristics and practice patterns in Korea: the DECS-K study. Jpn J Ophthalmol 65, 261–270 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10384-020-00803-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10384-020-00803-7

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