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. 2014:2014:532378.
doi: 10.1155/2014/532378. Epub 2014 Aug 11.

Age-related changes of the ocular surface: a hospital setting-based retrospective study

Laura Ottobelli  1 , Paolo Fogagnolo  1 , Marta Guerini  1 , Luca Rossetti  1
Affiliations

Age-related changes of the ocular surface: a hospital setting-based retrospective study

Laura Ottobelli et al. J Ophthalmol. 2014.

Abstract

Purpose. To investigate the effects of age on the prevalence of ocular surface diseases (OSD), adherence to treatment, and recovery rates. Patients and Methods. Retrospective analysis of 3000 clinical records from a first-level general ophthalmology clinic. Patients with OSD were prospectively submitted a questionnaire to assess compliance and recovery rates. Results. OSD prevalence was 10.3%. Patients with OSD were significantly older than patients without it: 67.5 ± 20.3 versus 57.0 ± 22.0 years (P = 0.036). No significant difference in season distribution was shown. Dry eye disease (DED) represented 58% of OSD; its prevalence increased with age until 80 years old and suddenly decreased thereafter. Asymptomatic DED was 37%. Adherence to treatment in OSD was very high (94%); recovery rates were lower in patients aged 21-40 and 61-80 (resp., 65.5% and 77.8%) and this was associated with higher OSDI scores. Tear substitutes represented 50% of all prescribed medications; their use increased with age. Discussion. In a "real-life" low-tech setting, OSD showed a prevalence of 10.3%. DED was the most prevalent disease, and it was asymptomatic in more than 1/3 of cases.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flow chart of the events of the study.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Percentage of subjects suffering and not suffering from OSD by age group. Black bars: presence of OSD; white bars: absence of OSD.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Percentage of overall and asymptomatic dry eye in OSD patients by age group. Black bars: overall dry eye; white bars: asymptomatic dry eye (OSDI ≤ 12).
Figure 4
Figure 4
Percentage of OSD recovery rates by age group.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Percentage of subjects able and not able to self-administer eye drops by age group.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Percentage of OSDI scores by age group.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Therapy distribution.
Figure 8
Figure 8
Percentage of tear substitutes by age group.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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