Chronic Dry Eye Information:

Prevalence of Chronic Dry Eye

It is commonly accepted that the prevalence of Chronic Dry Eye increases with age and can occur in both women and men, although it is more common in women.

Numerical estimates of the prevalence of Chronic Dry Eye in the United States vary. Some estimates place the prevalence of Chronic Dry Eye at approximately 5 million people ≥50 years old in the United States.^1,2 Other sources indicate that the prevalence may be higher – with as many as 23 million Americans frequently experiencing symptoms of dry eye.³ Findings from three sources are listed below.

Findings of Two Cross-Sectional Surveys Conducted in the United States

Survey 1 Design¹

Survey of 39,876 US women participating in the Womens' Health Study about a history of diagnosed Dry Eye Syndrome (DES) [Chronic Dry Eye] and dry eye symptoms¹

Main outcome measure: DES defined as the presence of clinically diagnosed DES or severe symptoms (both dryness and irritation constantly or often). Age-specific prevalence of DES was calculated and overall prevalence adjusted to the age distribution of women in the United States. Logistic regression was used to examine associations between DES and other demographic factors.¹

Survey 1 Results¹

• Prevalence of Chronic Dry Eye ranges from approximately 5.7% of women ≤49 years old¹
• Approximately 7.8% or 3.23 million women ≥50 years old have Chronic Dry Eye¹

Survey 2 Design²

Survey of US men 50 years and older participating in the Physicians’ Health Studies I (N=18,596) and II (N=6,848) on the prevalence and risk factors for Dry Eye Disease (DED) [Chronic Dry Eye]²

Main outcome measure: DED defined as the presence of clinically diagnosed dry eye or severe symptoms (both dryness and irritation constantly or often). Age-specific prevalence of DED was calculated and overall prevalence adjusted to the age distribution of US men in 2004 and projected estimates forward to 2030. DED prevalence was compared with a similar cohort of women and associations with possible risk factors were examined.²

Survey 2 Results²

• Prevalence of Chronic Dry Eye increased with age, from 3.9% among men aged 50 to 54 years old to 7.7% among men ≥80 years old²
• The age-specific prevalence for men 50 years or older was 1.68 million²

Findings From The 2010 Gallup Survey of Dry Eye Sufferers⁴

Survey Design⁴

Phase 1 (Incidence of Dry Eye): The survey was conducted via prescheduled telephone interviews among a general population sample of 1002 adults.  The interviews were conducted in March 2010.⁴

Phase 2 (Weighting): The total sample of dry eye sufferers was weighted by gender, age, education, and race/ethnicity to the parameters of adults who frequently suffer dry eye in the Phase 1 survey.⁴

Frequency of Dry Eye Problems (n=1002)

• Most dry eye sufferers experience the problem on a daily basis (72%), including those who encounter this problem several times a day⁴

Chronic Problem (n=1002)

• Most dry eye sufferers (72%) have been suffering with dry eye for more than 2 years⁴

Seeking Out a Physician (n=1002)

• 40% of dry eye sufferers have consulted an ophthalmologist about their dry eye problem, while 29% have consulted an optometrist⁴
• 19% of dry eye sufferers discussed the problem with a general practitioner⁴
• 24% have not consulted a healthcare professional about their dry eye problem⁴

References:
1. Schaumberg DA, Sullivan DA, Buring JE, Dana MR. Prevalence of dry eye syndrome among US women. Am J Ophthalmol. 2003;136:2318-2326.
2. Schaumberg DA, Dana R, Buring JE, Sullivan DA. Prevalence of dry eye disease among US men. Archiv Ophthalmol. 2009;127:763-768.
3. Market Scope. 2010 Comprehensive Report on the Global Dry Eye Products Market. August 2010.
4. Multi-Sponsor Surveys, Inc. The 2010 Gallup Study of Dry Eye Sufferers: Topline Findings Volume. PowerPoint Presentation. July 13, 2010.

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