Economic and quality-of-life impact of seasonal allergic conjunctivitis in Oxfordshire

Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to examine the economic and quality-of-life (QoL) impact of seasonal allergic conjunctivitis (SAC) from the individual patient perspective. SETTING The study population was drawn from the general public of Oxfordshire, England. METHODS Participants were recruited from either general practices or the casualty department of the Oxford Eye Hospital (OEH). All persons who were between 16 and 80 years of age and English speaking were eligible for enrolment in the study. The inclusion criteria for cases was that participants: 1) experienced itchy, bloodshot and watering eyes at some time between February and August every year since 1999, and 2) considered it likely that this was in response to seasonal allergens. Controls were drawn from the same sources and were age- and sex-matched to cases. Participants completed the EQ-5D Health Questionnaire, the Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ), the National Eye Institute (U.S.) Visual Functioning Questionnaire...