Efficient capture of dry eye data from the real world: The Save Sight Dry Eye Registry

Abstract

Purpose: To describe a web-based, high-quality data collection tool able to track the clinical data of patients with dry eye disease (DED) in routine clinical practice. Design: Retrospective analysis of core system web data from a prospectively designed, observational, routine clinical practice registry, the Save Sight Dry Eye Registry (SSDER). Methods: Patients with DED, from 11-Nov-2020 to 04-Mar-2024 were analysed. Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) and Ocular Comfort Index (OCI) questionnaires collected patient-reported DED symptoms, and the Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4) screened for anxiety and depression. Outcome data include index visit demography, DED symptoms and signs. Results: Fifteen clinicians (ophthalmologists and optometrists) from nine practices across Australia, France, Germany, Nepal, Spain and the United Kingdom contributed data, comprising index visits of 958 eyes from 479 patients (mean±SD age 56±17 years; 78.7% female). Up to 89.9% of the patients had either evaporative or mixed DED based on clinician's judgement. Mean OSDI symptom score at index visit was 35.7 ± 19.4 (n = 366), and the mean sores for frequency and intensity of discomfort with the OCI was 31.9 ± 6.1 and 31.4 ± 6.8 (n = 202) respectively. Forty-one percent of patients had mild to severe symptoms of anxiety and depression. Median tear breakup time and tear meniscus height were 5 (IQR 2–8) seconds and 0.3 (IQR 0.2–0.4) mm, respectively. Ocular surface staining was graded as none (37.6%), minimal (31.7%), mild (19.8%), moderate (8.8%) and severe (2.1%). Conclusion: The SSDER facilitated the collection of data from patients with DED from real-world clinical practice. Presenting patients had moderate DED, which was mostly evaporative in nature. Symptoms of anxiety and depression were reported by more than one-third of the cohort.