EVALUATION OF MOOD AND SLEEP CHANGES IN DRY EYE DISEASE AND ALLIED IRRITATING OCULAR DISEASES: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Background: Dry eye disease and allied irritating ocular diseases, including allergic conjunctivitis and chronic conjunctivitis, are commonly associated with persistent ocular discomfort, redness, burning, tearing, itching, pain, foreign body sensation, and blurred vision. When these symptoms continue for a prolonged period, they may interfere with routine activities, visual comfort, sleep pattern, and emotional well-being. Therefore, assessment of mood and sleep changes may provide a broader understanding of disease burden in these patients. Objective: To evaluate the frequency of mood and sleep changes among patients presenting with dry eye disease and allied irritating ocular diseases. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Institute of Ophthalmology, Eye Unit III, Mayo Hospital, Lahore, from 16 July 2022 to 16 January 2023. A total of 100 patients aged 35–80 years with dry eye disease, allergic conjunctivitis, or chronic conjunctivitis were enrolled through non-probability consecutive sampling. Patients underwent detailed history, visual acuity assessment, intraocular pressure measurement, and ophthalmic examination by consultant ophthalmologists. Mood changes were assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, while sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 23, and post-stratification chi-square testing was applied. A p-value of ≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The mean age was 56.45 ± 10.98 years. Among 100 patients, 67% were males and 33% were females. Dry eye disease was present in 59%, chronic conjunctivitis in 28%, and allergic conjunctivitis in 13%. The mean Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale score was 7.10 ± 4.00, and mood disturbance was found in 55% of patients. The mean Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score was 6.81 ± 4.16, and poor sleep quality was observed in 52% of patients. Socioeconomic status showed a significant association with mood disturbance, while age, gender, educational status, and diagnosis were not significantly associated with mood or sleep outcomes. Conclusion: Mood disturbance and poor sleep quality were common among patients with dry eye disease and allied irritating ocular diseases. These findings support the need for comprehensive ophthalmic evaluation that also considers psychological well-being and sleep-related difficulties. Keywords: Anxiety; Conjunctivitis; Conjunctivitis, Allergic; Cross-Sectional Studies; Depression; Dry Eye Syndromes; Sleep.