Prevalence and Risk Factors of Dry Eye Disease in an Ophthalmological Center in Southern Brazil

Abstract

Abstract Purpose: To determine the prevalence of Dry Eye Disease (DED) and its possible risk factors in the population of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Methods:A cross-sectional study was carried out through the patients who were referred to ophthalmic care at tertiary level. The patients were evaluated through the application of OSDI (Ocular Surface Disease Index) questionnaire. A specific questionnaire was created to register information on participants' demographics as well as risk factors associated, such as age, gender, ethnicity, education, medications, systemic diseases, eye disease, contact lenses, daily screen time, physical exercise, smoking, pregnancy, previous ocular surgery. Results: A total of 300 individuals participated in this study [mean (SD) age 62.71 (15.04) years, range 12-93 years; 64,33% females]. The prevalence of syntomatic dry eye was 53.65% (mean OSDI score of 21.01): 36.66% had mild dry eye, 13,66% moderate and 3.66% severe symptoms. There was a significant positive association between symptomatic dry eye and smoking [95% CI (1.100 – 1.708); p<0.05], which means that smoking increased the risk of dry eye (mild, moderate or severe) by 37%. The other risk factors did not show a statistically significant correlation with the development of dry eye disease. Conclusion: This study demonstrated a high prevalence of DED in patients seeking tertiary ophthalmological care in Southern Brazil. This represents a high proportion of the population with DED and a significant public health problem that requires attention from public authorities. Regarding the risk factors associated, only smoking increased the risk of developing the dry eye.