Aktuelle Inzidenz des Trockenen Auges in Deutschland

Zusammenfassung

Hintergrund: Das Trockene Auge ist eine der häufigsten Erkrankung der Augenoberfläche. Betroffene leiden vor allem unter subjektiven Beschwerden, welche die Lebensqualität beeinträchtigen. Ziel der vorliegenden Arbeit war es, festzustellen, wie Personen mit Trockenen Augen wann und mit welchen Beschwerden in der augenärztlichen Praxis des Niedergelassenen in Deutschland alltäglich vorstellig werden.

Patienten/Material und Methoden: Dafür wurden in deutschen Augenarztpraxen in Sachsen, Sachsen-Anhalt und Bayern 170 Betroffene mit Trockenen Augen nach ihren Beschwerden befragt.

Ergebnisse: Die Mehrzahl der Betroffenen war 40 Jahre und älter (88 %) (im Mittel 60 Jahre), weiblich (59 %) und schilderte mehr als ein subjektives Symptom (65 %). Es zeigte sich ein facettenreiches subjektives Beschwerdebild mit bis zu 5 verschiedenen Symptomen gleichzeitig. Es kommt zu einer deutlichen Zunahme an Erkrankten ab dem 40. (Frauen) bzw. 50. (Männer) Lebensjahr um das > 3,5-Fache.

Schlussfolgerungen: Mit der vorliegenden Arbeit sollte das Verständnis über dieses hoch komplexe Krankheitsbild weiter vervollständigt werden, um diese zumeist chronisch verlaufende Erkrankung mit ihrem anfänglich unscheinbaren Erscheinungsbild bereits frühzeitig zu erkennen, sowie die hier aus der deutschen Bevölkerung erhobenen Daten im internationalen Kontext vergleichend zu analysieren. Trotz großer wissenschaftlicher Anstrengung stellt das Trockene Auge nach wie vor eine besondere und meist schwierige Herausforderung für Patient und Behandelnden dar.

Abstract

Background: Dry eye is one of the most common eye surface disorders. Patients suffer in particular from annoying subjective symptoms that compromise quality of life. The aim of the study was to find out when patients consult ophthalmologists in Germany and what symptoms they present.

Patients/Material and Methods: 170 patients treated at ophthalmological practices in Bavaria, Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt with dry eye were surveyed regarding their symptoms.

Results: The majority of those questioned were 40 years of age or older (88 %) (average: 60), female (59 %) and described a variety of subjective symptoms (65 %). More than five different concurrent symptoms were named. There is a recognisable increase in cases – by more than 3.5 times – at the age of forty (in women) and fifty (in men).

Conclusions: We hope to contribute with the data obtained to a more complete understanding of this highly complex pathological process. A further aim is to facilitate recognition of this mostly chronic condition in its early stages when the symptoms are still poorly defined. The data on the German population obtained here should become part of a comparative analysis within the international context. Despite considerable scientific effort, dry eye remains a difficult challenge for both patients and attending physicians.

Schlüsselwörter

Lider - Pathologie - Kornea - Bindehaut

Key words

lids - pathology - cornea - conjunctiva

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