PREVALENCE OF DRY EYE SYMPTOMS AMONG PATIENT COMPANIONS

Josephine Nonye Ubah* and Florence Uchechukwuka Nkwogu

ABSTRACT

Background: Dry eye disease or dry eye syndrome is a disorder of tears and ocular surface which has been reported to be common and can lead to visual disability. Identified common risk factors include age, gender and certain medications. Not much has been documented on this apparently common problem in the country, thus necessitating the study. Aim: The aim of this study was to find out the prevalence of dry eye symptoms in persons who accompany patients to the eye clinic. Materials and Methods: Data was collected through administration of questionnaire that incorporated the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) to the sample population after obtaining an informed consent. Information obtained was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences(SPSS) version 21. Result: There were 466 candidates recruited for the study, comprising 266(57.1%) males and 200(42.9%) females. The prevalence of dry eye was 16.3% in the study. About one third of the candidates were within the 40 to 49 years age group. Frequency of dry eye symptoms was commonest in the 50 to 69 years age range. Presence of systemic diseases and eye problems, use of systemic medication and frequent reading from computers, hand set or books were statistically significant on crude analysis but taking age into consideration, only the presence of eye and systemic diseases were significant. (p=0.017, OR=0.413; CI of 0.200-0.853) and (p=0.000, OR= 0.072; CI of 0.037-0.141) respectively. Conclusion: Prevalence of dry eye symptom in the population studied was 16.3%. There is strong association between dry eye symptoms and, the presence of systemic and eye diseases. Further studies are required to assess the relationship between various eye problems and systemic diseases and dry eyes.

Keywords: Patient companions, dry eyes symptoms, prevalence.