Prevalence of Dry Eye Disease in Western India

Abstract

Introduction: Dry eye disease (DED), as defined by the dry eye work shop (DEWS II) guidelines, is a multi factorial disease with various etiologies ranging from instability and hyperosmolarity of the tear film, inflammation and damage of the ocular surface and neurosensory abnormalities. Study was done with the purpose to report the prevalence of dry eye disease (DED) in western India. Material and Methods: This was a cross sectional study conducted from April 2018 to March 2019. Patients from outpatient department > 18 years of age were selected based on systematic random sampling. The ocular surface disease index (OSDI) questionnaire was explained to the patients and asked to fill-up and the total OSDI score was calculated. Based on the OSDI scoring, DED prevalence was calculated. Demographic details of the patients were noted and compared between all patients and those with DED. Results: Of the 578 patients included in the study, 198 patients (34.26%) had DED. Of those, 95 (47.98%) patients had mild DED, 63 (31.82%) had moderate DED and 40 (20.20%) had severe DED. The mean age of patients with DED was 50.63±18.69 years. Females (54.04%) were more commonly affected compared to males (45.96%). There was significant difference in mean age among the total patients and DED patients (P= 0.03). The gender ratio was not significantly different among total patients and DED patients (P=0.17). Conclusion: The hospital-based prevalence of DED in western India is 34.26%. The disease is more common in elderly females.