Dry Eye Among Patients at the Eye Clinic of A Secondary Referral Hospital
- Author:
Maimunah Abdul Muna’aim, Tey Yin Yee
;
Alya Az-Zahra Mohamad Zafarullah
;
Rafidah Md Saleh
;
Azri Omar
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Dry eye symptoms;
Dry eye syndrome
- MeSH:
Eye
- From:Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences
2016;12(2):30-37
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Introduction: Dry eye is a common but under-diagnosed
problem in the general population. Lack of standardised
diagnostic protocol causes prevalence of dry eye varied widely
in different populations. Nevertheless, effective management
rests largely on the accurate diagnosis and identification of the
contributing risk factors. Methods: In a cross sectional study,
socio-demographic, lifestyle and medical history data were
collected from 157 respondents. A validated six-item
questionnaire was used to determine the dry eye symptoms. Dry
eye was determined by using Schirmer’s test. Fluorescein
staining test and tear break up time (TBUT) test were performed
to characterise the dry eye. Results: Using the Schirmer’s test,
33.8% of respondents had dry eyes. The likelihood of dry eye
increased among Malay females in the seventh decade. The
most frequently reported symptom was sensation of dryness of
the eye. Although only 22.6% of dry eye cases were
symptomatic, up to 47.2% of them may developed surface
changes detectable by fluorescein dye test. Ethnicity (p=0.019)
and diabetes mellitus (p=0.049) were significantly associated
with dry eye. Conclusion: Dry eye could be subclinical but
clinical tests in potential risk groups can lead to better detection
of this condition and allow prescription of appropriate treatment
for affected patients.
Keywords: Dry eye symptoms; Dry eye syndrome
- Full text:P020161130382829909833.pdf
