revalence and associated risk factors for dry eye disease among Brazilian undergraduate student

Author(s)

Yang, Isabela ^[1] ; Wakamatsu, Tais ^[2] ; Inhesta Sacho, Isabella Batistela ^[1] ; Fazzi, Jose Henrique ^[2] ; de Aquino, Asafe Cesar ^[2] ; Ayub, Gabriel ^[1] ; Rebello, Pedro Albuquerque ^[1] ; Pereira Gomes, Jose Alvaro ^[2] ; Alves, Monica ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Campinas UNICAMP, Sch Med Sci, Dept Ophthalmol & Otorhinolaryngol, Campinas, SP - Brazil

^[2] Fed Univ Sao Paulo UNIFESP, Paulista Sch Med, Dept Ophthalmol & Visual Sci, Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: PLoS One; v. 16, n. 11 NOV 11 2021.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Purpose Dry eye is a common, complex, and multifactorial disease of the ocular surface and tear film that results in discomfort and visual disturbances. Prevalence rates vary and largely rely on studies involving older populations. This study sought to evaluate dry eye among a sample of young students in Brazil. Methods Cross-sectional survey included 2,140 students using 2 self-applicable questionnaires of dry eye symptoms: the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) and the Women's Health Study (WHS) questionnaire and a list of risk factors associated with dry eye. Participants with dry eye symptoms underwent a clinical evaluation. Results Participants were 23.4 +/- 5.2 years of age, 56.1% female and 43.9% male, 34.4% had an OSDI score greater than 22, and 23.5% had dry eye according to the WHS. Dry eye frequency differed consistently between the sexes: 42.6% women and 24.0% men based on the OSDI, and 27.1% women and 18.5% men based on the WHS. Univariate and multivariate analyses demonstrated that female sex, contact lens wear, the screen use for more than 6 hours per day, less than 6 hours of sleep a night, and certain medications were relevant related risk factors for dry eye. Despite symptoms, clinical evaluations demonstrated mild signs of dry eye. Conclusions Dry eye symptoms were found to be a prevalent condition among Brazilian undergraduate students. Compared to the rates of dry eye among the general Brazilian population over 40 years of age, students present at higher dry eye symptoms rates and distinct odds for related risk factors were identified. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 14/19138-5 - Ocular tissue biobank implementation and investigation of new pathophysiological mechanisms of anterior segment eye diseases
• Grantee: Mônica de Cássia Alves
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants