Clinical Registries in Dry Eye Disease: A Systematic Review

Purpose: The objective of this study was to undertake a systematic review of the literature reporting on clinical registries in dry eye disease (DED).

Methods: Electronic searches were conducted using systematic review methodology to provide an overview of clinical registries in ophthalmology and to identify clinical registries reporting on dry eye parameters. Two reviewers independently assessed titles and abstracts, then full-texts for eligibility.

Results: A total of 129 clinical registries in ophthalmology were identified. The most common conditions captured were blindness or low vision, followed by glaucoma and corneal transplantation. Most of the registries originated in Europe (n = 56), followed by North America (n = 28). Of the registries identified, 12 were multinational, 59 were national, and 17 were regional. The second search identified 27 eligible articles, from which 8 clinical registries reporting on dry eye parameters were identified. One registry included patients with a diagnosis of dry eye. The remaining 7 registries included patients from a nationwide administrative ophthalmic database (n = 1), Sjögren syndrome (n = 4), glaucoma (n = 1), or were monozygotic and dizygotic twins (n = 1), who were evaluated for DED. Five of the registries were actively collecting data.

Conclusions: Most of the registries identified in this review evaluated aqueous deficient dry eye; however, the most common type of dry eye in the general population is evaporative. Few registries also collected recommended dry eye clinical assessment. A well-designed clinical registry for DED that engages international eye care clinicians has the potential to vastly contribute to addressing pivotal gaps in understanding this highly prevalent disease.