Prevalence of dry eye syndrome in association with the use of contact lenses in Saudi Arabia

Abeer Habeeb Almutairi,Maan Albarry,Bayan Sulaiman Alalawi,Razan Ahmed Alawaz,Hossein M Elbadawy,Ghadir Hamzah Badr

doi:10.1186/s12886-021-01912-8

Abeer Habeeb Almutairi, Maan Albarry + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12886-021-01912-8

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Journal: BMC Ophthalmology	Publication Date: Mar 23, 2021
Citations: 10	License type: open-access

Affiliation: Taibah University

Abstract

BackgroundDry eye disease is a tear film disorder which can cause discomfort to patients and negatively affect vision acuity. A number of risk factors has been reported to affect the incidence and severity of dry eye syndrome (DES). The aim is to study the prevalence of DES in Saudi Arabia and the factors affecting the severity of DES in relation to the use of contact lenses.MethodsA cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted on 310 participants using the ocular surface disease index (OSDI) questionnaire and the eye dryness part from contact lens questionnaire-8 (CLDEQ-8). Dry eye OSDI scores were compared across different epidemiological and risk factors with focus on the use of contact lenses. Pearson and Spearman’s correlation coefficients were used to analyze the frequency of contact lenses usage in relation to OSDI scores. Student’s t-test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) tests were used to compare means of two or more than two groups, respectively.ResultsForty eight (15.5%) of participants did not have any degree of DES, achieving an OSDI score between 0 and 12. Forty participants (12.9%) scored from 13 to 22, (mild DES), 44 (14.2%) were moderate, scoring 23–32 on the OSDI, while those who scored above 33 were 178 (57.4%) had severe DES. The mean score for all participants was 37.8. A high percentage of participants (84.5%) had some degree of DES. There was a strong positive correlation between OSDI score and the frequency of the feeling of dry eye and a moderate positive correlation between OSDI score and the intensity of dryness feeling. Out of 310 participants, 136 (43.9%) indicated using contact lenses. There was no significant association between the use of contact lenses per se and DES, however, those who used contact lenses more frequently had significantly higher OSDI scores.ConclusionsDry eye syndrome is a widespread, underdiagnosed condition in Saudi Arabia. The frequency of contact lenses use may contribute to the incidence of DES.

Highlights

Dry eye disease is a tear film disorder which can cause discomfort to patients and negatively affect vision acuity
Characteristics of the participants All regions of Saudi Arabia were covered with 46.5% of participants from the western region, where the study team is based
Thirty-four participants indicated that they use contact lenses every day, 50 participants used it on weekly basis, 37 monthly and 15 participants answered that they use contact lenses only once a year. (Table 1)

Summary

Introduction

Dry eye disease is a tear film disorder which can cause discomfort to patients and negatively affect vision acuity. Dry eye syndrome (DES), known as keratoconjunctivitis sicca, is a chronic disease with several underlaying pathologies. It is a tear film disorder occurring due to increase tear evaporation or deficiency of tear production which causes interpalpebral ocular surface damage associated with ocular discomfort symptoms [1]. These symptoms include eye dryness, foreign body sensation, and burning sensation result in eye redness and discomfort. When the lacrimal gland function is adversely affected, it decreases tear volume, leading to aqueous deficiency [9, 10]

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