Prevalence and risk factors associated with dry eye disease among adults in a population-based setting in South-West Nigeria

• Published in: Nigerian journal of clinical practice Vol. 25; no. 3; pp. 354 - 360
• Main Authors: Betiku, A, Oduyoye, O, Jagun, O, Olajide, O, Adebusoye, S, Aham-Onyebuchi, U
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: India Wolters Kluwer India Pvt. Ltd 01.03.2022; Medknow Publications and Media Pvt. Ltd
• Subjects: Adult; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dry eye syndromes; Dry Eye Syndromes - diagnosis; Dry Eye Syndromes - epidemiology; Female; Humans; Nigeria - epidemiology; Prevalence; Risk Factors; Statistics; Nigeria; Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI); Tear film break-up time (TBUT); Dry eye disease; Schirmer test
• ISSN: 1119-3077
• DOI: 10.4103/njcp.njcp_1598_21

Background: Dry eye disease (DED) occurs as a result of an abnormality in tear production, tear consistency, and tear evaporation. Aim: The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with dry eye disease in a population-based setting in Southwest Nigeria. Patient and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at a medical outreach at Iperu Remo in Nigeria. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select 415 participants. Symptoms of dry eye were evaluated using the Ocular Surface Disease Index questionnaire. Tear film break-up time (TBUT), fluorescein staining, Schirmer test with anesthesia, and meibomian gland were evaluated. The diagnosis of DED was confirmed when the OSDI score is ≥13 and TBUT is less than 10 seconds. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square, and logistic regression analyses at a 0.05 level of significance. Results: The overall prevalence of DED was 28.2%. Adults aged between 31 and 40 years were 23 times more likely to be diagnosed with dry eyes (aOR = 23.13; 95% CI: 1.32 - 405.99; P = 0.032) compared to those between 16 and 20 years. Female adults were about four times more likely to be diagnosed with dry eyes (aOR = 3.59; 95% CI: 1.44 - 8.94; P = 0.006). The use of drugs was also significantly associated with dry eyes. Conclusion: This study shows a fairly high prevalence of DED among adults in a semi-urban area in Southwest Nigeria. Ophthalmologists and other eye care workers need to be cautious about the DED and offer appropriate treatment options to patients.