A CLINICAL AND ANALYTICAL STUDY OF CORRELATION BETWEEN DRY EYE SYNDROME AND REFRACTIVE ERROR IN YOUNG ADULT PATIENTS ATTENDING OPHTHALMOLOGY DEPARTMENT, MBS HOSPITAL KOTA.

Abstract

Objectives:- This study aims to add new information about the DES in young adult by examining the correlation between dry eye syndrome and refractive errors. Methods: In this cross sectional study, a total of 200 participants in the age range of 18 to 35 years and who were free of ocular surface disease, were taken from the patients attending outpatient Department of Ophthalmology, MBS Hospital Kota. Refraction was defined by the spherical equivalent (SE) as the following: 74 emmetropic eyes (±0.50 SE), 76 myopic eyes (≤−0.75 SE), and 50 hyperopic eyes (≥+0.75SE). All participants underwent full ophthalmic examinations assessing their refractive status and dryness level including tear film break up time, Rose Bengal staining and schirmer test. Results: Prevalence of dry eye syndrome was 25.5% in this age group. In our study the prevalence of dry eye was 22.97%, 31.57%, and 20.00% in emmetropes, myopes, and hypermetropes, respectively (p value =0.28) and compared to emmetropes , prevalence of dry eye was higher in those with refractive errors (22.97% and 26.98% respectively). Mean Tear breakup time in seconds showed shorter time in eyes of myopic and hyperopic individuals compared to emmetropia. Mean Rose Bengal staining score showed less in emmetropic individuals compared to myopic and hyperopic. Conclusion: The current results succeeded to demonstrate a correlation between refractive errors and dryness level.