Prevalence of Depression Among People With Dry Eye Disease: Empirical Analysis From the Southern Region of Saudi Arabia.

Abstract

Background The number of people suffering from depression has increased in recent times. In the Aseer region alone, 3.8% of the population suffers from depression, and one of the causes is believed to be dry eye disease (DED). Objectives This research aims to investigate the relationship between depression and dry eye disease among people living in Saudi Arabia's Aseer region. Methodology The study is cross-sectional, and data was collected from 401 participants living in Aseer, Saudi Arabia. Data was collected with the help of a well-structured questionnaire, and results are extracted by analyzing the model using SPSS. Findings The study discovered a positive and significant relationship between dry eye disease and depression. A total of 36.7% of the participants had dry eye symptoms and 23.7% were diagnosed with depression, stress, or anxiety. Conclusion Our study concludes that patients suffering from dry eye disease are more likely to get depressed because, according to our analysis, there is a correlation between dry eye disease and depression. Dry eye disease is a condition that is not only affecting the elderly but the young alike. Saudi Arabia's healthcare authority should create awareness about this health issue with the help of seminars, print, and social media.