Researchers recently identified potential risk factors associated with the development of severe dry eye disease (DED) in patients with ocular graft-vs.-host disease (GVHD).

This retrospective chart review evaluated 78 post-transplant DED patients with GVHD. They were a median age of 56 years old and half were male.

The investigators reported a median Schirmer score of 14mm (0mm to 25mm). They noted that a lower Schirmer score, severe overall chronic GVHD and lung involvement were associated with worsening DED in GVHD.

Of the total participants, the researchers observed 17.95% with severe DED. Compared with those with less severe DED, they added that this group was more likely to be male and have a lower Schirmer score, significantly worse overall chronic GVHD and lung and gastrointestinal tract involvement.