Evaluation of risk factors for dry eye

Purpose. To evaluate potential risk factors for idiopathic dry eye among the elderly. Methods. As part of the Salisbury Eye Evaluation, we evaluated the association of a number of potential risk factors for dry eye among participants in a population-based survey of ocular disease and functional status among persons 65 years and older in Salisbury, Maryland. A total of 2483 persons 65 years or older were examined for signs and symptoms of dry eye. Potential risk factors were assessed during a detailed personal interview conducted in the home. Two definitions of dry eye were used, one based only on symptoms and the other based on both symptoms and objective signs (Schirmers Test and Rose Bengal Staining). Results. Cigarette smoking was not associated with either definition of dry eye. A history of oophorectomy among women was associated with a modestly increased risk (odds ratio = 1.3), but use of estrogen replacement therapy was not. Conclusions. These factors do not differentiate well those subjects with and without dry eye. Further analysis of drying medications and dry eye will be reported.