Study: Dry eye adversely affects employee productivity

Marc R. Bloomenstein

Dry eye syndrome reduces patients’ daily occupational productivity across the board, recently published survey results showed.

The study, published in Current Medical Research & Opinion, was based on information gathered from a cross-sectional, web-based survey administered to 9,034 individuals.

Results from the survey showed that all respondents experienced a negative impact on their daily work productivity. Patients with moderate to severe dry eye syndrome (DES) also reported a negative effect on their general health.

For respondents currently using artificial tears on a daily basis to treat their DES symptoms, 67% of mild DES sufferers were observed to have reduced productivity at work, along with 73% of moderate sufferers and 75% of severe sufferers. Of the moderate DES sufferers who showed impaired work productivity, 13% reported that their work was being impaired by as much as 40% to 60%. The same degree of work impairment was reported by 31% of the severe sufferers, and 15% in that group experienced work impairment between 70% and 100%.

To be eligible for the study, individuals had to be currently employed, a US resident, diagnosed with DES and have an Ocular Surface Disease Index score of 13 or higher. The validated Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire was used to measure respondents’ productivity. The study was sponsored by Allergan.

Similar results found in second survey

Allergan also conducted a separate survey that gathered information on how dry eye affects those who suffer from it and how they are or are not managing their symptoms. Data from this survey showed that nearly half of all US adults (48%) surveyed experience one or more DES symptoms regularly, 69% of which who have not visited an eye care practitioner (ECP) for treatment. About 43% of US adults reported a greater difficulty with reading as a direct result of DES symptoms.

Of the respondents using over-the-counter eye drops, 63% reported that the eye drops they are using are only somewhat or not at all effective in providing relief. Also, 41% of those who said they visited an ECP to treat their DES symptoms stated they either had to do so more than once to find relief (19%) or have still not found any relief (22%).

What this means to clinical practice

“The results of these surveys indicate that we are not doing enough to actually treat our patients who are obviously suffering from keratoconjunctivitis sicca,” Marc R. Bloomenstein, OD, FAAO, said in an interview with Primary Care Optometry News.

According to Dr. Bloomenstein, a member of the PCON Editorial Board, this data highlights the need for clinicians to act sooner in their treatment. Recommend a prescription drop, as opposed to an over-the-counter drop, to start, he said. Another approach could be looking at the comorbidity of blepharitis and allergy that may be exasperating the symptoms and treating appropriately.

“Yet none of this matters if we do not follow up with our patients to ensure that a real treatment regimen is actually helping to reduce symptoms,” Dr. Bloomenstein said.

In light of the large number of respondents who reported that the artificial tears they are using are not getting the job done, Dr. Bloomenstein emphasized the connection between that statistic and the findings that almost half of over-the-counter eye drop users made the decision to use the eye drops under counsel from their doctor or pharmacist.

“We are giving the wrong advice,” he said. “The use of over-the-counter treatment regimens for a condition that affects 48% of all US adults is not good medicine, especially since most of our patients come into our office already using a tear.”

Also disconcerting for Dr. Bloomenstein was the statistic that 69% of those suffering from DES symptoms have not visited an eye care practitioner for treatment. “Whatever the reason for this, when patients actually do come in and their symptoms are clearly impacting their daily life at work and at home, regardless of their DES severity, ECPs need to be more aggressive in their treatment,” he said.

“We need to listen to our patients, because symptoms such as fluctuating vision, reduced wearing time for contacts, challenges when reading and overall ocular discomfort are all diagnostic of keratoconjunctivitis sicca,” Dr. Bloomenstein said. – by Daniel R. Morgan

Reference:

• Patel VD, Watanabe JH, Strauss JA, et al. Work productivity loss in patients with dry eye disease: an online survey. Curr Med Res Opin. 2011;27(5):1041-1048.

• Marc R. Bloomenstein, OD, FAAO, can be reached at Schwartz Laser Eye Center, 8416 E. Shea Blvd., Ste., C-101, Scottsdale, AZ 85260; 480-483-3937; drbloomenstein@schwartzlaser.com.
• Disclosure: Dr. Bloomenstein has no relevant financial interests to disclose.