Prevalence of Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca among adults in Abia State University Uturu, Nigeria

Abstract

Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca (KSC) is autoimmune inflammation process that occurs mostly in middle age and in older population. It has been shown to occur due to inadequate tear film coverage of the conjunctiva. The clinical features, causes, symptoms, diagnosis and management of KCS will be investigated in the present study. A population of 200 subjects comprising 85 males (42.5%) and 115 females (57.5%) with age range of 35-70 yrs were examined using questionnaire. Tear break up time test was used to diagnose and confirm subjects presenting symptoms of KCS, while the chi-square and frequency distribution were used to analyze the data. Results showed that 60 subjects (305) had KCS and was found to be more common in females (71.6%) than in males (28.2%). Furthermore KCS was more common in females of age range 41-46 years and males of age 35-40 years and more prevalent in the elderly and middle aged. Eye care practitioners are thus encouraged to take proper case history in order to diagnose KCS whenever the case is presented.

Key words: Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca, Prevalence, Autoimmune.