The negative effects of dry eye disease on quality of life and visual function

In recent years, dry eye has become a hot topic within ophthalmology and optometry, especially in regards to new frontiers in treatment modalities which include novel devices, procedures, and medications. However, some of the more understudied areas in dry eye involve its impact on quality of life. Although ocular discomfort symptoms are well known to be associated with dry eye, its negative effects on visual function remain underrecognized. This paper reviews these topics within the currently published literature to heighten awareness among clinicians. Key Words: D ry eye, quality of life, visual function, functional visual acuity, patient questionnaire, OSDI, SPEED, SANDE, IDEEL, NEI VFQ-25