Abstract
Objectives: The objective of this study is to estimate the prevalence of symptomatic suspected dry eye, diagnosed dry eye syndrome (DES), and associated risk factors; in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 654 participants was employed using a self-administered semi-structured questionnaire that included demographic characteristics like age, gender, and risk factors (smoking, using contact lenses, chronic comorbidities, etc.). Results: There were 266 (40.7%) previously diagnosed DES participants and 388 (59.3%) non-diagnosed DES, of which 497 were female and 157 were male. Females had a significantly higher rate of diagnosed DES than males (p<0.001), with a significant increase in the rate of DES diagnosis with age (p<0.001). There was also a significant increase in DES in participants with diabetes mellitus, allergic eye, thyroid eye, and skin diseases, as well as having undergone laser surgery or using contact lenses. There was no significant increase in DES in cases of smoking, daily use of electronic devices, or duration of sleep. Conclusion: The prevalence of dry eye among adults in Riyadh was 46.6%, with the most important risk factors being female gender, increasing age, Lasik refractive surgery, skin disease around the eye, and thyroid eye disease.
Highlights
Dry eye syndrome (DES) is a common chronic disease of the ocular surface [1, 2]
The validated six-item questionnaire of ocular symptoms related to dry eye [5, 6] is a widely used effective tool to assess the presence of dry eye; the prevalence of DES is difficult to assess due to the variability and inconsistency of symptoms, methods of diagnosis, and a poor link between symptoms and signs frequently encountered in other eye conditions [7]
There was a significant increase in DES in those participants with allergic or thyroid eye disease, diabetes mellitus, and skin diseases or those having undergone laser surgery or using contact lenses, whereas smoking, daily use of electronic devices, or sleeping duration had no impact on DES diagnosis (Table 1)
Summary
Dry eye syndrome (DES) is a common chronic disease of the ocular surface [1, 2]. The primary components of tears are mucin, aqueous, and lipid layers, which combine to create a complex viscoelastic structure. The lacrimal and accessory lacrimal glands produce the aqueous layer, the goblet cells of the conjunctiva produce the mucin layer, and the meibomian glands produce the lipid layer. This complex structure is responsible for lubrication nutrition as well as protecting the cornea. The validated six-item questionnaire of ocular symptoms related to dry eye [5, 6] is a widely used effective tool to assess the presence of dry eye; the prevalence of DES is difficult to assess due to the variability and inconsistency of symptoms, methods of diagnosis, and a poor link between symptoms and signs frequently encountered in other eye conditions [7].
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