Shua Azam, Mehmood Hussain, Syed Jawwad Hussain, Nusrat Murad.
Risk Factors in Dry Eye (A hospital-based study at Madinah Teaching Hospital, Faisalabad).
Ophthalmol Update Jan ;14(4):140-4.

Objectives: (1) To determine the distribution of dry eye cases in different ages, genders and occupational groups. (2) To determine the possible relationship of the dry eye with its risk factors such as environment, systemic diseases and medications. Patients and Methods: A hospital-based descriptive cross-sectional study at Madinah Teaching Hospital, Faisalabad was conducted including 100 diagnosed outdoor patients of age 10 years and above. Tear break-up time (TBUT), Schirmer`s test II and Ocular Surface Disease Index performa (OSDI) was used to make a diagnosis of dry eye. Dry Eye Disease (DED) was defined as TBUT less than 10 seconds, Schirmer`s test II less than 10mm wetting and OSDI score to be 33 or above. Results: The prevalence of dry eye disease increased with age from 4% in age group 10-20 years to 33% in age group 51-60 years. Preponderance of females was found (60%) as compared to males (40%). The prevalence of DED was also higher among house wives, (49%), urban residents (57%) and those exposed to dust (29%). By using Chi-square test male smokers and computer users while females with systemic diseases and those who were using systemic medications significantly associated with a higher risk of DED with a p-value = <0.05. Conclusions: Dry eye is common condition among older age subjects, house wives, urban residents and those exposed to dust. Smoking, computer use, systemic diseases (diabetes mellitus and hypertension) and systemic medications (antihypertensive and hypoglycemic drugs) were significant risk factors for dry eye.

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