Epidemiology of symptoms of dry eye disease (DED) in Jordan: A cross-sectional non-clinical population-based study

- This is the first study to explore the occurrence of dry eye disease symptoms in Jordan.
- There is a high prevalence of mild to severe DED symptoms.
- The intensity of many ocular symptoms is correlated with female gender at older age and contact lens wear.

PurposeTo describe the prevalence of dry eye disease (DED) symptoms and to identify associated risk factors in a general non-clinical population in Jordan.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, participants were selected randomly from the general non-clinical population in Jordan. Participants aged 18 years or over completed the Arabic version of Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire on dry eye symptoms.ResultsThe OSDI questionnaire was completed by 1039 subjects (609 female and 430 male). The mean OSDI score for the study population was 27, with 59% of subjects showed OSDI score ≥20 (a cut off score for mild DED symptoms). Females showed significantly higher mean OSDI score than males in the older age group (p = 0.01). The prevalence of all dryness symptoms was markedly reported in older age group >45 years and contact lens wearers (p < 0.05). The most commonly reported DED symptom was sensitivity to light and intense symptoms were markedly reported during windy conditions. Vision-related quality of life was also affected in subjects with dryness symptoms. Working with computers and ATM was among those that highly affected.ConclusionThe results show that symptoms of dry eye were prevalent in this non-clinical population. Contact lenses wear and older age were found to be associated with dry eye symptoms.