Befragung österreichischer AugenfachärztInnen zum trockenen Auge und zur Blepharitis

摘要

BACKGROUND: Within the last years an increase of patients suffering from dry eye and/or blepharitis was observed. To evaluate the actual number of patients in Austria, by the associates of the Dry Eye Unit of the Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University Graz, a written survey of all local ophthalmologists was performed. METHOD: Within this investigation an especially designed questionnaire was sent to 576 local ophthalmologists in Austria. In this questionnaire the prevalence of dry eye and/or blepharitis patients and in addition the average age and sex of patients as well as the methods for diagnosis of these diseases were evaluated. RESULTS: Three weeks after emission a response rate of 33% was achieved. The majority of ophthalmologists declared that 20 to 50% i.e. every second to fifth of their patients suffered from dry eyes. The most affected group is from 41 to 60 years of age. 99,3% had the opinion that women are more frequently affected. Concerning blepharitis the majority of ophthalmologists suggested 5 to 20% of their patients to be affected, especially women and the preferred age ranges from 41 to over 60 years. The most frequently performed methods for diagnosis of these diseases are evaluation of the anamnesis and subjective symptoms as well as the exploration of the margin of the lids and lid parallel conjunctival folds (LIPCOF), determination of tear film break up time and height of tear meniscus. Schirmer's test, fluorescein-, rose bengal- and lissamine green-staining as well as lipid interferometry were not so often performed. CONCLUSIONS: Dry eye and blepharitis are common diseases in the ophthalmological practice in Austria. Due to the response rate of about 33% we suggest that ophthalmologists assign high importance to these diseases.