AIM: To investigate the ocular features of the elderly patients with dye eye disease in the community of Shanghai, and to explore the related factors of dry eye disease's symptoms.

METHODS: The clinical information about the elderly patients with dry eye disease in Miaohang Community Shanghai Baoshan District from Nov. 2013 to Dec. 2014 with self-designed questionnaire were collected. General information, the eye conditions, the history of systemic disease, habits and customs were collected. All patients completed the ocular surface disease index(OSDI)questionnaire which assessed the severity of dry eye disease. The positive patients would have a comprehensive examination of the eye.

RESULTS: A total of 618 validated questionnaires were collected and included in analysis. There were 142 males(23.0%)and 476 females(77.0%). The most common symptoms, dry eye feeling, accounted for about 66.8%. Eighty point nine percent patients had more than three kinds of symptoms. The proportion with refractive errors(hyperopia or presbyopia), pterygium is higher in 50-60 age group than other groups. Visual display terminal(VDT)and driving for a long time had significant difference between the three groups(the proportion was 37.3% and 9.3% respectively, P=0.004, 0.001). The patients exposed to smoke environments, such as chess room, had higher proportion in the 61-70 age group than any other age group, the proportion was 20.6%(P<0.05). The proportion of conjunctivochalasis and cataract was higher in the 71-80 age group than other groups, with proportion of 28.6% and 78.9% respectively(P<0.05). Meibomian gland dysfunction(MGD), long-term use of eye drops especially in glaucoma patients had no difference in three groups(P>0.05). One hundred and fifty patients had surgery history, the common operations were cataract, pterygium and blephar. One hundred and eighty-one patients(29.3%)had positive corneal fluorescein staining, with higher proportion in the symptoms of foreign body sensation, photophobia, conjunctival congestion, frequent blinking and lacrimation.

CONCLUSION: The risk factors of dry eye disease's symptoms were various in different age groups. According to thus, we should take different measures with relevant education about the cause of disease and comprehensive treatment to improve quality of life in elderly people with dry eye disease.