Symptoms of ocular irritation in patients diagnosed with dry eye

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop a pilot survey to evaluate ocular irritation symptom frequency, severity, and impact on daily activity in patients previously diagnosed with dry eye. Methods: Forty-five patients previously diagnosed with dry eye (ICD-9 code 375.15) completed the 17-item symptom survey. Analog-scale response questions concerning the frequency, severity, and effect on daily activity were asked for the following symptoms: dryness, scratchiness and soreness, burning and stinging, light sensitivity, blurry vision, and ocular itching. Results: Dryness and soreness were the most frequently reported symptoms of ocular irritation. Although the occurrence of symptoms of ocular irritation was reported as frequent by patients diagnosed with dry eye, the symptoms had minimal to moderate impact on daily activity. Conclusions: Patient expression of the symptoms of dryness and soreness at more frequent and/or more severe levels may lend more validity to a diagnosis of dry eye.