Dry Eyes, Ocular Lubricants, and Use of Systemic Medications Known or Suspected to Cause Dry Eyes in Residents of Aged Care Services

Muhamad Aljeaidi, Claire Keen, J. Simon Bell, Tina Cooper, Leonie Robson and Edwin C. K. Tan
Additional contact information
Muhamad Aljeaidi: Centre for Medicine Use and Safety, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
Claire Keen: Centre for Medicine Use and Safety, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
J. Simon Bell: Centre for Medicine Use and Safety, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
Tina Cooper: Resthaven Incorporated, Adelaide, 6 Bartley Cres, Wayville, SA 5034, Australia
Leonie Robson: Resthaven Incorporated, Adelaide, 6 Bartley Cres, Wayville, SA 5034, Australia
Edwin C. K. Tan: Centre for Medicine Use and Safety, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 15, 1-10

Abstract: Ocular issues are common, burdensome, and under-researched among residents of aged care services. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of dry eyes or use of ocular lubricants among residents, and the possible association with systemic medications known or suspected to cause dry eyes. A cross-sectional study of 383 residents of six aged care services in South Australia was conducted. Data were extracted from participants’ medical histories, medication charts, and validated assessments. The main exposure was systemic medications known to cause, contribute to, or aggravate dry eyes. The primary outcome was documented dry eyes or regular administration of ocular lubricants. Logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the association between systemic medications and dry eyes/use of ocular lubricants. Dry eyes were documented for 53 (13.8%) residents and 98 (25.6%) residents were administered ocular lubricants. Overall, 116 (30.3%) residents had documented dry eyes/used ocular lubricants. Of these, half ( n = 58) were taking a medication known to cause, contribute to, or aggravate dry eyes. Taking one or more medications listed as known to cause dry eyes was associated with having dry eyes/use of ocular lubricants (OR 1.83, 95% CI 1.15–2.94). In sub-analyses, no individual medication was associated with dry eyes/use of ocular lubricants. Dry eyes and use of ocular lubricants are common in residential aged care. Our hypothesis generating findings suggest the need for further research into the clinical significance of systemic medications as a possible cause of dry eyes.

Keywords: dry eye syndromes; drug side effects; aged; dementia; frailty; long-term care (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:15:p:5349-:d:389497

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