The Effect of PROSE or Scleral Lenses on Mental Health

PROSE treatment is an FDA approved iterative process which includes designing a highly customized rigid gas permeable scleral lens for the treatment of ocular surface disease (such as keratoconjunctivitis sicca, Sjogren's syndrome, ocular Graft versus Host Disease and cicatricial keratoconjunctivitis) in order to mitigate pain (often severe), prevent vision loss from ocular surface breakdown, scarring, ulceration, melt and perforation and to achieve best corrected visual acuity. PROSE achieves its therapeutic purpose by filling the device each day with preservative free normal saline in order to neutralize corneal irregularities and to provide constant lubrication and protection to the ocular surface. Associations between mental health and ocular disease have been described in literature, including irregular corneas and ocular surface pathology. Many of these conditions are associated with dry eye symptoms. Given the role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of dry eye disease (DED) and the bidirectional nature of depression and inflammation, it is unsurprising that multiple studies have demonstrated the positive association between DED and anxiety and depression.

In particular, there is a strong association that those with depression may be more likely to have severe DED symptoms, with some studies showing increased likelihood of DED in patients with depression by an odds ratio of 1.92. Although the literature is inconsistent in its findings of the association between depression and objective DED signs, multiple studies have reliably shown that there is close alignment between subjectively reported DED symptoms and depression.

Mental health associations have also been established with ocular Graft versus Host Disease (oGvHD) both through the relationship between oGvHD and dry eye syndrome and as demonstrated by higher scores on Visual Function Questionnaire 25 (VFQ-25), which correlate to worse mental health status.

Patients with oGvHD report limitations in daily and recreational activities with some patients experiencing pain so severe that they are unable to leave their homes. Anecdotally, in clinical care, improvement with affect and mood are reported following treatment of these debilitating diseases with PROSE.

This is believed to be relatable to improvement in ocular symptoms, including pain, as well as improvement in vision and daily functionality.

This study will investigate the possible correlation of improved mental health following medical intervention with PROSE. The investigators hypothesize that patients with ocular surface disease who undergo first-time intervention with PROSE will demonstrate an improvement in mental health as measured by the validated PHQ-9 questionnaire19-23 within a 6-month timeframe. Investigators will also assess the relationship between changes in PHQ-9 scoring and ocular symptoms, utilizing the validated Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI). Lastly, investigators will evaluate the relationship between changes in PHQ-9 scoring and quality of life and functionality, utilizing the VFQ-25.