Comparative analysis of severity of dry eye disease among smokers in tertiary care hospital of rural area of Panipat

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate the correlation between smoking dependence and severity of dry eye. This was a cross-sectional study conducted for a period of 3 months November 2022 to January 2023. 150 smokers were included in the study and their nicotine dependence was assessed using Fagerstrom scale. Patients were classified into mild and significant dependence groups. The severity of dry eye among subjects were assessed using ocular surface disease index (OSDI), tear film breakup time (TBUT) and Schirmer’s test. Also, analysis was done using STATA and SPSS software. Out of 150 smokers 44 showed low dependence and 106 showed significant dependence. In patients with low dependence average OSDI was 18.8, TBUT was 4.70 and Schirmer’s was 10.22. Patients with severe dependence had an average OSDI 29.12, TBUT 3.43 and Schirmer’s value of 7.30. There was a direct correlation between degree of smoking and severity of dry eye disease (r= 0.72, p=0.03). The degree of dependence correlates directly to the severity of dry eye among smokers.