Prevalence of Dry Eye Symptoms and Associated Risk Factors among University Students in Poland

Dominika Wróbel-Dudzińska (), Natalia Osial, Piotr Witold Stępień, Adrianna Gorecka and Tomasz Żarnowski
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Dominika Wróbel-Dudzińska: Department of Diagnostics and Microsurgery of Glaucoma, Medical University of Lublin, Chmielna 1, 20-079 Lublin, Poland
Natalia Osial: Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Lublin, 20-059 Lublin, Poland
Piotr Witold Stępień: Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Lublin, 20-059 Lublin, Poland
Adrianna Gorecka: Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Lublin, 20-059 Lublin, Poland
Tomasz Żarnowski: Department of Diagnostics and Microsurgery of Glaucoma, Medical University of Lublin, Chmielna 1, 20-079 Lublin, Poland

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 2, 1-17

Abstract: Aim: The aim of the study was to demonstrate the prevalence and risk factors of dry eye symptoms (DES) among university students in Poland. Material and methods: A cross-sectional study survey was conducted among 312 Polish university students. The questionnaire consisted of the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI), the 5-Item Dry Eye Questionnaire (DEQ-5) and questions regarding medical history and risk factors. Results: According to the OSDI, more than half of respondents (57.1%) have symptoms of ocular surface disease. Time spent using electronic devices is correlated with scores gathered in both OSDI and DEQ-5 ( p < 0.001). There is a statistically significant dependence between psychotropics ( p = 0.002), glucocorticosteroids usage ( p = 0.026), the presence of depression ( p < 0.001), diabetes ( p = 0.01) or allergy ( p = 0.008) and dry eye symptoms proved in both questionnaires. Respondents with refractive errors and those living in metropolitan areas have a statistically higher symptom intensity( p < 0.022). Stress felt by students is associated with higher DES risk. No correlation between DES and smoking habits was observed. The history of SARS-CoV-2 infection was associated with the severity of DES ( p = 0.036). Conclusion: Pathogenesis of DES is multifactorial and its severity depends on several factors, both genetic and environmental. Its prevalence among the young population is underestimated. Determining risk factors will enable the implementation of appropriate prophylaxis and early diagnosis.

Keywords: dry eye symptoms; dry eye syndrome; ocular surface; tear film; OSDI; DEQ-5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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