DRY-EYE DISEASE AMONG MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL IN WESTERN UP DURING THE LOCKDOWN PERIOD 2020 – A CROSSSECTIONAL STUDY.

Abstract

Objective : To estimate the prevalence of dry-eye disease (DED) among medical professionals in a tertiary care hospital in Western UP during the lockdown period 2020. Materials & Methods : This was a cross-sectional hospital-based, observational study from 7th May 2020 till 14th May 2020, that included 50 medical professionals as subjects. The study compares the increase in the number of hours spent on Visual Display Terminals (VDTs) before and during the lockdown period 2020. This in-turn led to numerous ill-effects on human beings, out of which ocular manifestations like dry-eye disease has been on the rise. The study has been carried out in the form of questionnaire survey data – Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) asking about the symptoms and various other parameters, related to dry eye. Results : The mean number of hours spent on VDTs before lockdown was 2.82±1.32 hours and during lockdown was 6.26±4.76 hours. In accordance with the OSDI scoring, 23/50 subjects developed DED. Out of these, 28% (14/50) had mild DED, 16% (8/50) had moderate DED, and only 2% (1/50) had severe DED. Prevalence of dry eye was directly proportionate to exposure time to VDT during the lockdown. Conclusion : The prevalence of dry-eye disease (DED) among medical professionals during the lockdown period 2020 was 46%. This was attributed to the increased dependence on VDTs for various purposes.