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Symptomatic dry eye disease among university students
Khalid M Al-Zubi1, Waqar A Al-Kubaisy2, Yazan E Al-Azzeh3
1Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Mu'tah University, Mu'tah, Jordan.
Medical Hypothesis, Discovery & Innovation Ophthalmology Journal
|February 15, 2024
Summary
Dry eye disease (DED) symptoms are prevalent among university students, with self-reported symptoms exceeding objective clinical findings. Combining subjective and objective measures may improve DED diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Public Health
Background:
- Dry eye disease (DED) is a common multifactorial condition affecting tear film quantity and quality.
- Understanding DED prevalence and symptoms in student populations is crucial for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the frequency of DED and its associated subjective symptoms among students at Mu'tah University.
- To investigate the correlation between self-reported DED symptoms and clinical diagnostic measures.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 489 students who completed DED symptom and Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaires.
- Clinical examinations including Schirmer test I and fluorescein tear breakup time (TBUT) were performed on 106 participants.
Main Results:
- Approximately 74.6% of students reported DED symptoms, and 72.6% had abnormal OSDI scores.
- Clinical tests showed low Schirmer scores in 25.5-26.4% and low TBUT in 18.9-19.8% of eyes.
- Significant associations were found between self-reported symptoms and OSDI scores, Schirmer test, and TBUT, with subjective symptoms being more frequent than objective findings.
Conclusions:
- The prevalence of self-reported DED symptoms among students was higher than previously reported international statistics.
- Self-reported DED symptoms showed a significant association with higher OSDI scores.
- A combination of subjective and objective diagnostic measures may enhance the diagnostic yield for DED.
