PREVALENCE AND ASSOCIATED RISK FACTORS OF SYMPTOMATIC DRY EYE DISEASE AMONGST ADULTS ATTENDING A TERTIARY HOSPITAL IN KADUNA METROPOLIS, NORTH-WESTERN NIGERIA

Abstract

The study aims to determine the prevalence of dry eye disease (DED) and risk factors among adults based on the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire. This study was conducted at the Outpatient Clinic of Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital in July 2024. The prevalence of symptomatic Dry Eye Disease (DED) was assessed using the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire. Based on the OSDI scores, DED was classified into three categories: mild (13-22 points), moderate (23-32 points), and severe (33-100 points). The study also examined associations with other risk factors. Four hundred and two participants aged 18 years and above were analysed; 61.2% were female, and 48.8% had a tertiary level of education. The prevalence of symptomatic dry eye disease was found to be 30.1%. A high OSDI score was associated with age (p < 0.01), history of allergies, use of medications, and a history of ocular surgery were significantly associated with DED (p < 0.01). The prevalence of DED among general outpatients at BDTH, Kaduna, is comparatively high, with a prevalence of patients reporting any level of symptoms of dry eyes to approximately 1 in 3.