1 in 10 UK Women Need Artificial Tears for Dry Eye Disease

Recent findings show that as many as one in 10 women in the United Kingdom (UK) suffer from dry eye disease, a health issue that's accompanied by pain, itching and visual disturbance. For many, this will require that they regularly receive artificial tears to see properly.

The study results are based on findings from almost 4,000 women between the ages of 20 and 87 from the TwinsUK cohort, drawn from the registry held at St. Thomas' Hospital in London.

The cohort widely represents the UK general population, and has been used to look at a wide range of diseases and genetic traits throughout the years, according to researchers. For this, researchers assessed the prevalence of dry eye disease in women. At the same time, 681 randomly selected twins from the cohort who were taking part in a subsidiary study on pain also supplied additional information on dry eye symptoms and rated their own health based on a five point scale.

The study results showed that as many as one in 10 women had been diagnosed with this health issue and were being treated with artificial tear drops or gel to assist related symptoms. Close to one in five had also experienced related symptoms within the past three months.

For many, certain autoimmune diaseses increased their risk of the health issue, such as thyroid problems, rheumatoid arthritis, and allergies such as asthma and eczema. Fertility problems and ostheoarthritis were also commonly linked.

However, the most common connections were found between chronic pain syndromes, such as irritable bowel syndrome, widespread chronic pain and pelvic pain.

For those suffering from dry eye disease, watching television, working online or even being too near an air-conditioner can be particularly difficult on the eyes. Researchers said these findings alter the oftentimes misunderstood ideas and psychological factors about the disease and its development.

More information regarding the findings can be seen via the Britism Medical Journal (BMJ).