Comparison of Two Dry Eye Questionnaires in Postmenopausal Women With and Without Dry Eye

Dry eye disease is a public health issue especially in postmenopausal women. The aim of this study was to compare the visual and ocular symptoms scores in postmenopausal women with and without dry eye using the 5-item Dry eye questionnaire (DEQ-5) and Ocular surface disease index (OSDI) and to correlate the results between the DEQ-5 and OSDI in postmenopausal women with and without dry eye. Fifty-five participants (33 dry eye subjects and 22non-dry eye subjects) completed the two questionnaires (DEQ-5 and OSDI). The OSDI questionnaire was used to group postmenopausal women with dry eye into subgroups. Fluorescein tear break up time was used to assess tear stability. DEQ-5 scores, OSDI scores and FBUT values were compared using Mann Whitney U test. The correlations between both questionnaires scores were evaluated using the Spearman coefficient. The total OSDI score was significantly different between the 2 groups (Non dry eye (NDE) = 9.90 ± 12.75 and dry eye (DE) = 30.71± 16.45). The OSDI sub scores (ocular symptoms score, vision related functions and environmental triggers) were higher for the dry eye group. The total DEQ-5 score was also significant between the 2 groups. (NDE = 3.17 ± 2.26 and DE = 6.19 ± 3.63). The DEQ-5 sub score (eye discomfort, and watery eye) yielded higher results for the dry eye group. Spearman’s rho test showed significant correlation between the OSDI score and DEQ-5 score. (r2 = 0.57, p = 0.000). Our study therefore revealed that any of the two questionnaires could be used in diagnosis of dry eye disease in postmenopausal women. However, the 5-item dry eye questionnaire with just 5 questions can be recommended for screening among postmenopausal as this questionnaire has fewer questions