Prevalence and Risk Factors of Dry Eye Disease at a Tertiary Care Centre in Haryana, India: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Dry Eye Disease (DED) is a multifactorial disease which causes ocular discomfort and visual disturbances. It is one of the major causes of patients’ visit to the clinic. The prevalence of DED has increased in recent times due to increased time spent on computers and mobile phones, ageing population and highly stressful social environment. Various studies done in past on DED prevalence have given the variable results. Aim: To determine the prevalence of DED and analyse the associated risk factors in a tertiary care centre in Sonepat, Haryana, India. Materials and Methods: Present study was a cross-sectional observational study done in outpatient Department of Ophthalmology at Bhagat Phool Singh Government Medical College for Women, Sonepat, Haryana, India, from April 2021 to December 2021. Total 820 patients, aged >18 years were administered Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire. Patients with OSDI score >12 and positive one or both of the dry eye objective tests of Schirmer’s and Tear film Break Up Time (TBUT) below cut-off value were labeled as DED and were evaluated for association with various risk factors. Data were statistically analysed by Chi-square test, Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney U test and Fisher’s exact test. Results: The mean age of patients were 39.65±15.52 years ranging between 18-79 years. DED was found to be more prevalent in females 120 (56.1%) compared to males 94 (43.9%). The prevalence of DED was 26.1% (214/820). Maximum prevalence was found in the age group 18-40 years (43.9%). Out of the 214 DED patients, 113 (52.8%) had mild, 95 (44.4%) had moderate and 6 (2.8%) had severe dry eye. The risk factors significantly associated (p<0.05) with DED were: more than 3.71 hours of Visual Display Terminal (VDT) use, occupational VDT users, homemakers, previous ocular surgery, uncorrected refractive error, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), alcohol intake and mask use. Conclusion: DED is a significant cause of ocular morbidity, affecting more than quarter (26.1%) of the study population. Awareness and identification of risk factors for dry eye which are occupational VDT users, previous ocular surgery, uncorrected refractive error, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, COPD, alcohol intake and mask use is important for effective prevention and management of DED.