Study of prevalence and severity of dry eye in post menopausal women

Abstract

To assess the prevalence and severity of dry eye in post menopausal women presenting to our hospital. And to assess the prevalence of various types of dry eye in post-menopausal women. 100 post-menopausal women were subjected to various tests for dry eye from June 2020 to June 2021. Out of 100 participants in our study, 33 (33%) fulfilled the diagnostic criteria of dry eye. The prevalence of dry eye showed an upward trend with increasing age, from only 2 (10.5%) in 46-50 years of age group to 13 (61.9%) in 66-70 years. The most common presenting symptoms were redness, urning and grittiness. It was found that 4 (12.1%) patients had evaporative type of dry eye,13 (39.3%) had tear deficient type and the most common variety was mixed type which was present in 16 (48.4%). 21% had mild dry eye, 9% had moderate and 3% had severe type of dry eye disease. Milder forms of dry eye are more common and hence easily missed than severe forms. Every woman should have a regular eye check-up after menopause so that dry eye as a cause of visual impairment could be excluded and treated in time to prevent further ocular morbidity.