Background/aims Dry eye disease (DED) questionnaires would ideally be easy and fast to answer and explore the main aspects of disease burden and satisfaction (efficacy and tolerability) with treatment. This pilot study evaluates the Pentascore questionnaire for routinely assessing DED.

Methods The Pentascore combines five visual analogue scales (VAS) to assess the intensity and frequency of ocular pain/discomfort, the impact of DED on daily activities and visual tasks and the efficacy and tolerability of ongoing DED treatment(s). This retrospective study compared Pentascore to the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire, fluorescein tear break-up-time, corneal staining and Schirmer I test.

Results For 161 DED patients, the algebraic mean (±SE) for the Pentascore was 52.6±1.8, the mean standardised area of the radar graph was 32.1±1.7 (out of 100) and the mean score for the OSDI was 52.6±1.8. Both questionnaires were highly statistically correlated (R=0.74 for both algebraic score and radar area, p<0.001), and each of five Pentascore VAS was significantly correlated with the OSDI (p<0.05). Corneal staining score (CSS) was correlated with two Pentascore VAS (impact of DED on daily activities and visual tasks), and there was a trend towards a correlation between CSS and the area of the radar graph (p=0.09).

Conclusions This pilot study indicates that the Pentascore can rapidly and effectively assess the burden of DED and satisfaction with treatments. Compared with the algebraic mean, the estimation of the area of the radar graph likely improves the sensitivity for detecting differences/changes in symptoms and treatment follow-up.