Dry eye prevalence : epidemiological study using a short questionnaire as main diagnostic tool

• Grant number: 16/12352-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: September 01, 2016
• End date: August 31, 2018
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Medical Clinics
• Principal Investigator: Eduardo Melani Rocha
• Grantee: Etiene Lorriane de Souza Persona
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (FMRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

According to the literature, the prevalence of dry eye disease varies considerably depending on the studied population and associated factors. But still there are no epidemiological studies on the prevalence of this disease in the Brazilian and Latin American population. Currently, we use the results of international studies to lead to dry eye disease in our country. So an epidemiological study which represents the Brazilian population is necessary, taking into account the risk factors, severity, the most prevalent diseases associated clinical features, finds the ophthalmologic examination and symptoms .This research project proposes a cross-sectional study, which was aimed to determine the prevalence of dry eye disease in the municipalities of Cassia dos Coqueiros and Ribeirao Preto, using as a primary diagnostic tool a short questionnaire. The sample size will be 600 participants in the age group of 40 years or more, which will be recruited through home visits to be carried out by the researchers. In the first stage of the research, the inhabitants of the population of Cassia dos Coqueiros, 30% of the total sample size will be addressed. And in a second step, the researchers will address participants inhabitants of Ribeirão Preto. A random sample of participants with and without a diagnosis of dry eye, according to results of the questionnaire will be invited to submit to the complementary outpatient clinical examination.