Half adults suffer from dry eyes, but most of them never get help

In fact, research today (September 15) was presented in 43^road The European Assembly for Anti -Eye and Refraction (1) found that more than half of the general population in the United States of America and Europe suffer from dry eyes, however only 20 % of European patients and 17 % of patients from us were diagnosed, and they can wait for years for professional assistance.

Dr. Piotr Fawznak, the refractive surgeon and dry eye specialist at UPEC Eye Clinics in Warsaw, Poland, and a lecturer and clinical coach in Cardinal Stephen and Yusinisky, said what is looking for anything from the drought of the number, and he can do so in the normal number. to bear.

Dr. Wozniak presented results from a survey that included 2,003 adults in the United States conducted in April 2024, and from an ongoing international arm of the study by Busch and Lumpe with more than 5,000 adults in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Poland, and Saudi Arabia: “Unjustly drought needs: symptoms and symptoms (educational). Nests International Ar Survey 2,580 adults in the general population and 2572 who suffer from dry eye (2).

“In the study of nests, we found that 58 % of the general population reported that symptoms of dry eyes were exposed, yet one in five received an official diagnosis of the health care provider,” he said. “The large size of this study makes these results strong.

“The study explored the patient’s journey in detail. What has emerged is that up to a third of patients had suffered from symptoms for more than five years before asking for professional assistance. ISIS also found that about half of the injured suffer from symptoms every day. The delay in the search for treatment is related, especially since the eye of drought is a gradual disease and that early intervention can prevent the presence of a risk in inflammation.”

Other results from nests showed that 60 % of those with dehydration waited at least four months before seeking help and waiting for 20 % more than a year before speaking to the health care provider about their symptoms. Many people have stopped driving at night (17 %), and no longer wearing makeup (14.8 %), or reduced their use of heat or air conditioning (15.2 %) due to the symptoms of unspecified dryness. One in three of those who suffer (34 %) reported that their symptoms worsened last year and only 9 % had an improvement.

Lubricants were the first and most common treatment, which was chosen either by the patient or by the career or health care. However, only 25 % believed that their current treatment is specially designed for their needs.

Dr. Wozniak said: “ISIS also examined the reactions of patients, which reveals national differences. For example, in France less than half of those who suffer from dry eyes have planned follow -up visits, while in Saudi Arabia, the majority followed, 84 %, proactively by their providers,” Dr. Wozniak said.

In the American study, dry eyes often affected 50 % of the respondents in the survey, and 80 % of mobilization symptoms such as fatigue, itching or water eyes, but only 17 % had a diagnosis of the eye care provider. Between 35-75 % of people were very annoying or very dry eyes, with reading, using electronic devices or driving being the most common activities to be disabled; 70 % lacks treatment options; 40 % unaware that unspeakable dry eyes could cause other eye problems and vision loss; About 25 % visited the eye care provider every two years or more. 67 % of people with dry eyes have been waiting for six months or more to see the eye care provider, and wait 31 % two years or more.

Dr. Wozniak said: “These results highlight the widespread impact of dry eye diseases on the quality of life, which indicates a large number of people who suffer silently.

“We need to educate patients and the public about the causes, consequences and treatment options for dry eyes, as well as the importance of regular eye examination. In addition, we must support healthcare professionals in distinguishing between different types of dry eye and appropriate matching treatments.

Dry eye diagnosis often involves a mixture of symptoms reported by the patient, medical history and clinical tests. However, only some patients are diagnosed on the basis of symptoms and standard eye examination, for example with a microscope. Specific diagnostic tools include considering at the time it takes a dry spot to appear on the cornea after a flash, using a dye to pollinate the surface of the eye, measuring the concentrations of salts and other molecules in crying, or an evaluation of the mibuman gland, which is responsible for producing the sebaceous part of tears.

Dryly uncomfortable dry eyes can be very uncomfortable, and can cause inflammation and condition called eyelid when the eyelids become painful and fill. Symptoms include sandy or brave feeling, pain, uncomfortable and painful eyes, itching or burning sensation, unclear vision in the short term, and water eyes. Dry eyes are more common in people over 50 years of age because the glands that make tears, especially the oil component, become less effective, causing tears dry very quickly and the front of the eye has become dry and irritated. The condition may also affect the results of almost every ophthalmology, including cataracts and refractive procedures, which makes its diagnosis and management important, even before the surgery.

Dry conditions, dust, wind and cold can also make eyes dry, as well as air conditioning, central heating, smoking, and some medical conditions such as autoimmune diseases and hormonal conditions.

The head of the ophthalmology department at Da Luz Hospital, Lisbon, Portugal, Head of the Department of Ophthalmology at Da Luz Hospital, Lisbon, Portugal, Head of the Ophthalmology Department at Da Luz Hospital, Lisbon, Portugal, did not participate in the research in the Da Luz Hospital, Lisbon, Portugal, ESCR president, ESCR president, ESCRS president, Dr. Felomina Ribeiro, Head of the Ophic Medicine Department in the Hospital Da Luz, Lisbon, Portugal. “These results reveal the true extent of eye dryness in the general population. It relates that this small percentage of the injured are asking for help in this case, especially as they can make a real difference in eye surgery results and also the quality of their lives.

Notes

1. ESCRS25-PP-3336, “Symptoms of dry eye, intensity, treatment and unparalleled needs: Analysis of the United States of America and a multinational shot”, with a pen and a louznak And others. Stickers session: Eye surface disease. 09: 15-10: 45 hours CEST, Monday, 15 September, https://pag.virtual-meeting.org/escrs/escrs2025/en-gb/pag/presentation/572147
2. Data from The Nests International Ar has become available after the summary is presented. Therefore, the information in this version is the latest data to be presented to Congress.