Cataract, Glaucoma, and Dry Eye Disease in Adults with Atopic Dermatitis: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study from the Republic of Korea

BACKGROUND: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is an inflammatory skin disorder characterized by relapsing eczema with intractable itching. Ocular diseases in patients with AD, including cataract, retinal detachment, blepharitis, glaucoma, keratoconjunctivitis, and keratoconus, have frequently been reported worldwide. However, only a few studies using a large-sample, population-based study design have been reported so far. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the association between cataract, glaucoma, and dry eye disease and AD in an adult population in the Republic of Korea. METHODS: A total of 14,900 adults who participated in the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a nationwide, population-based, cross-sectional survey, between 2010 and 2012 were included in the study. Multiple logistic regression analyses identified the possible association between cataract, glaucoma, and dry eye disease and AD relative to matched controls. RESULTS: After we adjusted for confounding factors in patients with AD, cataract and glaucoma were significantly associated with AD. Moreover, patients with AD had a higher prevalence of ophthalmic surgery compared to those without AD. CONCLUSION: Dermatologists should therefore be aware of possible ocular disorders in patients with AD and should recommend regular ophthalmic screening for early detection.