The Evaluation of Mood Status in Dry Eye Patients

Aim: To evaluate mood status in patients with dry eye syndrome (DES). Methods: The study comprised of 78 eyes of 78 patients which were divided into two groups. Ocular surface disease index (OSDI), tear osmolarity, tear-film break-up time (TBUT), and Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI II) tests were used to assess the patients. All variables were compared within 2 groups. Results: In patients with DES; the mean tear osmolarity, OSDI, and TBUT were 315.9 ± 14 (306 346 ) mOsm/L, 49.8 ± 16.6 (12 83), and 4 ± 1.2 (2 8) se respectively. In control group they were 294.9 ± 9 (280 303) mOsm/L, 8.5 ± 5.5 (0 11), and 11.5 ± 1.6 (10 15) sec respectively (p = 0.001). The BDI-II scores were 18.3 ± 14.3 (4 74), and 5 ± 4.1 (0 9) in two groups respectively (p = 0.001). Conclusions: This study demonstrated significant mood changes in patients with DES. Chronic ocular inflammation and irritation could alter the BDI II score. Hence, negative mood status might be associated with an increase in ocular surface inflammation.