Prevalence of dry eye in Brazil: Home survey reveals differences in urban and rural regions

A random home visit search investigated the prevalence and predictors of Dry Eye (DE) symptoms in Brazil.

Through home visits to 420 urban and 180 rural residences in the countryside of Southeast Brazil, the Dry Eye Disease Short Questionnaire (DEDSQ) was applied to volunteers 40 years and older. The predictive value of the DEDSQ and the risk factors were investigated.

DE is more frequent in the urban population (38.1 % vs. 20 %; p < 0.0001) and was higher in females (37.5 % and 21.5 %; p < 0.0001). In the urban area, DE is associated with dyslipidemia (p < 0.0001), visual display terminal use > 2 h/day (p < 0.0001), and pterygium (p < 0.001), and in the rural area with dyslipidemia (p < 0.01) and prior ocular surgery (p < 0.05). In women, the predictors are antiallergics, chronic pelvic pain, fibromyalgia, and visual display terminal use > 2h/day. Aging was associated with distinct risk factors. DEDSQ showed 78.5 % of sensitivity and 71.1 % specificity.

This first domiciliary study in Brazil reveals that DE symptoms were more prevalent in the urban area and among women. DE has distinct risk factors and a high prevalence in Brazil.