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Dry Eye Disease Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors Among the Middle East Population: A Systematic Review and
Zoelfigar Mohamed1, Saif Alrasheed2, Mustafa Abdu3
1Department of Optometry, College of Health Sciences, University of Buraimi, Buraimi, OMN.
Cureus
|October 31, 2024
Summary
Dry eye disease (DED) affects nearly 30% of people in the Middle East. Key risk factors for this common ocular condition include older age, female gender, and smoking.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Dry eye disease (DED) is a prevalent condition impacting tear film function and ocular surface health.
- Regional variations in DED prevalence and risk factors exist due to diverse environmental, cultural, and genetic factors.
- Understanding these regional specifics is crucial for effective public health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and analyze the prevalence and risk factors of DED specifically within the Middle East (ME) region.
- To provide a pooled estimate of DED prevalence and identify significant associated risk factors in this population.
- To inform targeted prevention and management strategies for DED in the ME.
Main Methods:
- Adherence to PRISMA 2020 guidelines for systematic review and meta-analysis.
- Comprehensive literature search across major databases (Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, Google Scholar) from 2004 to 2024.
- Inclusion of 17 studies (22,087 subjects) from 10 ME countries, employing random-effects modeling for data analysis.
Main Results:
- The pooled prevalence of DED in the Middle East was estimated at 28.33% (95% CI: 27.74-28.93).
- Primary identified risk factors include advanced age, female gender, and smoking.
- Additional risk factors encompass contact lens use, prolonged screen time, diabetes, certain medications, allergies, and autoimmune diseases.
Conclusions:
- The prevalence of DED in the Middle East is notably higher than global estimates, indicating significant regional disparities.
- Age, female gender, and smoking are critical risk factors demanding attention in the ME population.
- Findings necessitate the development of tailored prevention and management strategies addressing the unique risk profile of the Middle Eastern population.
