Responses to a dry eye questionnaire from a normal population.

A dry eye questionnaire was completed by 500 patients who presented for the correction of refractive error. A sample of non-contact lens wearers was extracted (N = 177) and responses were compared between males and females, and between three subgroups according to age. Females responded at a significantly higher rate in regard to 4 of 24 questionnaire segments. Differences according to age were found for 5 of 24 questionnaire segments. Except for the question concerning arthritis, increased prevalence of dry eye findings in over-45-year-old females was not found in this normal population. These results, combined with those reported previously, validate the use of the questionnaire as a screening instrument that will enable ocular sicca cases to be identified.