Villani Edoardo, Barabino Stefano, Giannaccare Giuseppe, Di Zazzo Antonio, Aragona Pasquale, Rolando Maurizio
Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Eye Clinic San Giuseppe Hospital, IRCCS Multimedica, 20123 Milan, Italy.
Ocular Surface & Dry Eye Center, ASST Fatebenefratelli SACCO, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy.
J Clin Med. 2025 Jan 1;14(1):196. doi: 10.3390/jcm14010196.
Dry eye disease (DED) is a multifactorial, chronic, and often relapsing condition with a significant impact on patient quality of life (QoL). Symptoms such as ocular discomfort and visual disturbances are diverse and frequently misaligned with objective clinical signs, complicating diagnosis and management. DED not only interferes with daily activities like reading, driving, and computer use but also imposes a substantial economic burden due to direct healthcare costs and reduced work productivity. Beyond its ocular manifestations, DED has been associated with higher prevalence rates of depression and anxiety, with a complex bidirectional relationship. Patients with DED may experience psychological distress that exacerbates symptoms, leading to a vicious cycle that further impairs QoL. This underscores the importance of integrating mental health screening into the management of DED, particularly for high-risk populations. Optimizing the care of DED patients requires empathy, effective communication, and the establishment of a therapeutic alliance that acknowledges patient experiences and involves them in personalized treatment plans. Such an approach can improve patient satisfaction, enhance treatment adherence, and address both ocular and psychological dimensions of the disease. This paper highlights current evidence on the impact of DED symptoms and its association with mental health and recommends strategies to improve clinical management through a patient-centered approach.
干眼症（DED）是一种多因素、慢性且常复发的疾病，对患者生活质量（QoL）有重大影响。眼部不适和视觉障碍等症状多种多样，且常常与客观临床体征不符，使诊断和管理变得复杂。DED不仅会干扰阅读、驾驶和使用电脑等日常活动，还会因直接医疗费用和工作效率降低而带来巨大经济负担。除了眼部表现外，DED还与更高的抑郁和焦虑患病率相关，存在复杂的双向关系。DED患者可能会经历心理困扰，这会加剧症状，导致恶性循环，进一步损害生活质量。这凸显了将心理健康筛查纳入DED管理的重要性，特别是对于高危人群。优化DED患者的护理需要同理心、有效的沟通以及建立治疗联盟，承认患者的经历并让他们参与个性化治疗计划。这种方法可以提高患者满意度，增强治疗依从性，并解决疾病的眼部和心理层面问题。本文强调了关于DED症状影响及其与心理健康关联的当前证据，并推荐了通过以患者为中心的方法改善临床管理的策略。
