Prevalence and Factors Associated with Dry Eye Disease in Adult Patients in National Eye Center, Kaduna Nigeria

Abstract

Background: The purpose of this study is to assess the prevalence and factors associated with dry eye disease (DES) in adult patients with a view to improving the diagnosis and management.

Patients, Materials and Methods: Two hundred and sixty-six (266) adults were enrolled into the study. Ocular surface disease index (OSDI) scores, tear film break up time (TBUT) test, Schirmer’s test, and epithelial staining with fluorescein were performed on all the participants. Comprehensive analysis of data using IBM SPSS version 23 was done. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05.

Results: Two hundred and sixty-six participants were examined. The sample mean age was 44.75 years ± 14.38 standard deviation Dry eye prevalence in the sample was 45.9% (95% confidence interval: 39%–52%), the prevalence was 62% by the OSDI, 54.1% by TBUT test, 30.5% by Schirmer’s test while 70.3% of the participants had abnormal fluorescein corneal staining. Significant risk factors contributing to dry eye prevalence among the participants were age, gender, and educational status.

Conclusion: DES is common in our environment and efforts should always be made to identify patients with dry eye syndromes and treat appropriately.