LEXINGTON, Mass.—The results of a national survey released this week indicate that 89 percent of eyecare professionals believe today’s multi-screen lifestyle (with daily use of mobile, tablet and computer screens) is responsible for an increase in dry eye disease, and that dry eye is becoming increasingly common.

The National Eye C.A.R.E. (Current Attitudes Related to Eye Health) Survey was conducted online by Harris Poll in July 2015 on behalf of Shire. Among the respondents were more than 1,000 ECPs (optometrists and ophthalmologists) and more than 1,200 adults with dry eye symptoms (U.S. adults diagnosed with dry eye disease or experiencing dry eye symptoms who have used artificial tears within the past month).

“Survey results highlight the expanding patient demographics that many eyecare professionals have been observing in their practices,” Marguerite McDonald, MD, FACS, board-certified ophthalmologist, Ophthalmic Consultants of Long Island, N.Y., said in a Shire statement highlighting the survey results. “While age and female gender continue to be significant risk factors for dry eye disease, most ECPs believe that the rise of our multi-screen lifestyle has led to a noticeable shift, with more young adults presenting with dry eye symptoms than in years past.”

Data indicate that women ages 50 and older are still most likely to be affected by dry eye disease, but many ECPs are reporting that they believe the use of “modern technology is changing the face of the condition,” according to Shire’s statement. ECPs say they believe dry eye disease is “affecting younger adults at a growing rate. What’s more, even though adults with dry eye symptoms cite the importance of maintaining eye health, many aren’t familiar with key symptoms of dry eye, and typically wait two years between symptom onset and seeking medical advice,” the statement noted.

Dry eye disease is an inflammatory disease of the ocular surface that is often chronic and may be progressive. The disease is most commonly associated with dryness and overall eye discomfort, as well as stinging, burning, a gritty feeling or episodes of blurred vision.

According to Shire’s statement, adults with dry eye symptoms, on average, spend eight hours daily in front of a screen, pointing to how difficult it may be to disconnect even when screen time is perceived to contribute to dry eye symptoms.

Among ECPs, the survey found:

• The vast majority say the use of modern technology contributes to dry eye symptoms (92 percent).
• More than three-quarters (76 percent) report an increase in patients between the ages of 18-34 with dry eye symptoms compared with 10 years ago.
• Nearly nine in 10 (87 percent) say that in today’s world, there is no one typical type of dry eye patient.

According to adults with dry eye symptoms who responded:

• Most (79 percent) say they are more aware of “feeling their eyes” after viewing a screen and that using a screen is challenging as a result of their dry eyes (59 percent).