A Hospital-Based Study on the Prevalence of Dry Eyes in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Abstract

BACKGROUND Dry eye syndrome is a common eye disease. Dry Eye Syndrome (DES), also known as Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca (KCS), is the condition of having dry eyes. Other associated symptoms include irritation, redness, discharge and easily fatigued eyes. Blurred vision may also occur. The symptoms can range from mild and occasional to severe and continuous. Scarring of the cornea may occur in some cases without treatment. Dry eye occurs when either the eye does not produce enough tears or when the tears evaporate too quickly. Tobacco smoke exposure or infection may also lead to the condition. Diagnosis is mostly based on the symptoms, though a number of other tests may be used. Prevalence of dry eyes are commoner in females than males. There is a positive relationship between glaucoma and ocular dryness as well as diabetic retinopathy and ocular dryness. Dry eye is a multifactorial disease of the tears and ocular surface. Ocular symptoms such as pain, irritation and poor vision can result from dry eye. The aim of the study is to study the prevalence, symptomatology and distribution of dry eyes. MATERIALS AND METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted during July 2016 to March 2017. Study place was Outpatient Department of Ophthalmology at Sree Mookambika Institute of Medical Sciences, Kulasekharam. Sample size was calculated by 4PQ/d², which was 132. Systemic random sampling was used for the study. RESULTS Prevalence of dry eyes-17.8%. Dry eyes in males-16.8% and in females-24.6%. Dry eyes in age <40 yrs.-10.8%, >40 yrs.-21.8%. Prevalence of dry eyes in contact lens wearers-36.5%. Prevalence of dry eyes in glaucoma cases-38.2%. Prevalence of dry eyes in farmers-27.3%, in smokers-36.7%. Dry eyes in emmetropes-12.8% in myopes-17.2% in hypermetropes-28.6%. CONCLUSION Dry eyes prevalence obtained was 17.8%. Dry eyes were seen more in females. As age increases, prevalence of dry eyes increases. Ocular surface dryness was observed more in contact lens wearers. Among predisposing factors common were dust and smoke.