Sicca syndrome (dry mouth and dry eyes) occurs predominantly due to the side effects of medication, systemic diseases (Sjögren’s disease), and radiotherapy of the head and neck region. Sicca complaints decrease the quality of life, cause sleep disturbances, and affect overall health. This systematic literature review investigates the correlation and/or association between dry mouth and dry eyes. A comprehensive search was conducted through PubMed and Web of Science databases up to November 2024. English-language research studies investigating the association and/or correlation between dry mouth and dry eyes were included. Study quality was assessed using NIH quality assessment tools. Data on publication details, participant characteristics, assessment methods, and outcomes was extracted and synthesised based on the type of outcome (objective and/or subjective assessments) and cohort type.
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SIGNIFICANCE: The impact of dry eye disease on patients' daily lives is understood by optometrists, but they seldom use this understanding in their patient management. PURPOSE: Dry eye disease can significantly impact a person's daily life and is known to cause psychological symptoms. Treating and managing patients with dry eye disease can be challenging, as an approach based solely on signs is unlikely to reflect patients' true burden. Because optometrists play a crucial role in the care of dry eye disease patients, it is necessary to examine their awareness of the negative impact of dry eye disease on patients' daily lives and how they manage this during their consultation time, including diagnosis and management. METHODS: This study has an exploratory, qualitative research design. Twelve semistructured online interviews were conducted with optometrists in second-line eye care through a convenience sample. The interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed after a thematic analysis. RESULTS: The main findings were that few optometrists actively asked about patients' perceived burden, many optometrists did not mention all the possible treatment options or practical advice that could benefit dry eye disease patients, and few were aware of the possible help that other health care providers could provide, besides the optometrist. CONCLUSIONS: Dutch optometrists are aware of the impact that dry eye disease can have on their patients' daily lives, but seldom use this information as part of their management plan.
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Modern offices and the use of electronic devices are increasing factors in work-related eye symptoms. However, symptoms of eye fatigue or dry eye sensation can be mixed and confusing. This study surveys the eye symptoms reported during a working day at modern offices to investigate the possible inhibition on daily work activities. Two online digital surveys were sent to three different work locations, by direct e-mail. Survey A consisted of 14 questions that investigated eye symptoms experienced during daily activities at work and the impact on daily activities. Survey B consisted of four general questions, the Dutch Ocular Surface Disease Index, the Work Productivity and Activity Index, and the Illness Perception Questionnaire.
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Climate change has impacted our planet ecosystem(s) in many ways. Among other alterations, the predominance of long(er) drought periods became a point of concern for many countries. A good example is The Netherlands, a country known by its channels and abundant surface water, which has listed “drought effect mitigation” among the different topics in the last version of its “Innovation Agenda” (Kennis en Innovatie Agenda, KIA). There are many challenges to tackle in such scenario, one of them is solutions for small/decentralized communities that suffer from dry-up of surface reservoirs and have no groundwater source available. Such sites are normally far from big cities and coastal zones, which impair the supply via distribution networks. In such cases, Atmospheric Water Generation (AWG) technologies are a plausible solution. These systems have relatively small production rates (few m3 per day), but they can still provide enough volume for cities with up to 100k inhabitants. Despite having real scale systems already installed in different locations worldwide, most systems are between TRL 5 and 6. Thus need further development. SunCET proposes an in-situ evaluation of an AWG system (WaterWin) developed by two different Dutch companies (Solaq and Sustainable Eyes) in the Brazilian semi-arid state of Ceará. The cooperation with NHL Stenden will provide the necessary expertise, analytical and technical support to conduct the tests. The state government of Ceará built an infrastructure to support the realization of in-situ tests, as they want to further accelerate technology implementation in the state. Such structure will make it possible to share costs and decrease total investments for the SMEs. Finally, it is also intended to help establishing partnerships between Dutch SMEs and Brazilian end users, i.e. municipalities of the Ceará state and small agriculture companies in the region.
