Evaluation of Dry Eye Disease Signs, Symptoms, and Vision-Related Quality of Life in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Dry eye disease (DED) represents one of the most prevalent ocular manifestations associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), with reported incidence rates ranging from 15% to 35%. DED constitutes a multifactorial condition that significantly impairs both visual function and health-related quality of life. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of DED symptoms on vision-related quality of life in patients diagnosed with SLE, employing the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) as a disease-specific instrument. Additionally, the study aimed to evaluate correlations between clinical diagnostic tests and OSDI scores, and to determine the frequency of abnormalities affecting individual ocular structures. This study included 35 SLE patients, identifying DED in 37.1%. Common ophthalmic abnormalities included lens opacification (22.9%) and hyaloid degeneration (34.3%). Astigmatism (>0.50 D cyl) was prevalent (60.0%), being significantly higher in DED patients. While visual acuity and intraocular pressure were comparable, DED patients showed significantly lower Schirmer I test values, reduced tear break-up time, and higher van Bijsterveld scores, indicating impaired tear film and surface integrity. OSDI scores were significantly elevated in the DED group, with 51.4% reporting moderate to severe dysfunction. Strong, statistically significant correlations between the OSDI and objective tear film parameters confirmed a robust association between subjective symptoms and clinical signs. These findings highlight the significant impact of DED on visual function in SLE patients, underscoring the importance of routine ophthalmological evaluation and timely intervention.