Prevalence and risk factors of dry eye disease in North India: Ocular surface disease index-based cross-sectional hospital study

Indian J Ophthalmol. 2018 Feb;66(2):207-211. doi: 10.4103/ijo.IJO_698_17.

Abstract

Purpose: This study aims to study the prevalence of DED and analyze risk factors in North Indian population.

Methods: This was a cross-section hospital-based, observational study. Cases enrolled over 2 years (systematic random sampling) were administered ocular surface disease index questionnaire to evaluate the prevalence and risk factors of DED. Schirmer's test and tear break-up time were performed only in the subset of patients giving consent. Categorical data were assessed with Chi-square/Fisher's Exact test, and odds ratio was analyzed using bivariate and multivariate logistic regression. P < 0.05 was statistically significant.

Results: A total of 15,625 patients were screened. The prevalence of DED was 32% (5000/15625); 9.9% (496/5000) had mild DED; 61.2% (3060/5000) had moderate DED; and 28.9% (1444/5000) had severe DED. Age group of 21-40 years, male sex, urban region, and desk job were associated with increased risk of DED. Hours of visual display terminal (VDT) usage significantly correlated with DED (P < 0.001), and 89.98% of patients with 4 h or more of VDT use had severe dry eye. Cigarette smoking and contact lens usage had increased odds of developing severe DED (P < 0.001). Objective tests were undertaken in 552 patients; of these, 81.3% (449/552) had severe DED.

Conclusions: The prevalence of DED in North India is 32%, with the age group of 21-40 years affected most commonly. VDT use, smoking, and contact lens use were associated with increased odds of developing DED.

Publication types

  • Observational Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Dry Eye Syndromes / diagnosis
  • Dry Eye Syndromes / epidemiology*
  • Dry Eye Syndromes / metabolism
  • Female
  • Hospitals*
  • Humans
  • India / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Prevalence
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Factors
  • Slit Lamp Microscopy
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Tears / metabolism*
  • Young Adult