Work productivity loss in patients with dry eye disease: an online survey

Abstract

Objective: To assess the impact of dry eye disease (DED) on productivity.

Research design and methods: A cross-sectional, web-based survey was administered to 9034 individuals who are part of the Harris Interactive Online dry eye panel. Patients (≥ 18 years of age) were included if they were currently employed, a United States resident, had a patient-reported physician-diagnosed dry eye, and scored 13 or higher on the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI). Work productivity and impairment in daily activity was measured using the validated Work Productivity and Activity Impairment (WPAI) Questionnaire. Comparisons were made across disease severity groups: mild, moderate, severe.

Results: Reduced productivity while at work was reported by patients in all three severity groups. Patients with moderate (18%) and severe (35%) disease had significantly greater reductions in productivity than patients with mild (11%) disease, P < 0.05. Impairment in ability to perform daily activities was significantly greater among respondents with severe disease (34%) than respondents with moderate (19%) or mild (12%) disease, P < 0.05.

Conclusion: DED is associated with work productivity loss and impairment of daily activities. These results should be interpreted in the context of limitations related to online survey research.