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Yun, Kang, Kim, and Song: Prevalence of Dry Eye Disease among University Students
Original Article
Journal of the Korean Ophthalmological Society

Journal of the Korean Ophthalmological Society 2012; 53(4): 505-509.

Published online: 17 April 2012

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3341/jkos.2012.53.4.505

Prevalence of Dry Eye Disease among University Students

Cheol Min Yun, MD, Su Yeon Kang, MD, Hyo-Myung Kim, MD, PhD, Jong-Suk Song, MD, PhD

Department of Ophthalmology, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

Address reprint requests to Jong-Suk Song, MD, PhD. Department of Ophthalmology, Korea University Guro Hospital, #148 Gurodong-ro, Guro-gu, Seoul 152-703, Korea. Tel: 82-2-2626-3178, Fax: 82-2-857-8580, Crisim@korea.ac.kr

Received 8 October 2010       Accepted 25 February 2012

Copyright © 2012 The Korean Ophthalmological Society

Abstract

Purpose

To determine the prevalence of dry eye disease (DED) and risk factors among young people based on the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire.

Methods

The authors of the present study distributed the OSDI questionnaire to 263 university students. DED was diagnosed when the OSDI score was greater than 13 points. According to the OSDI score, DED was classified as mild (13-22 points), moderate (23-32 points), or severe (33-100 points). Additionally, the associations between the OSDI score and possible risk factors such as gender, contact lens use and allergic conjunctivitis were studied.

Results

Of 263 students, diagnosed DED was present in 133 (50.6%) and severe cases of DED were observed in 49 (18.6%). A high OSDI score was associated with female sex (p < 0.01), a history of allergic conjunctivitis (p = 0.02), contact lens use (p < 0.01), self-awareness of the dry eye symptoms (p < 0.01) and a history of clinically diagnosed DED (p < 0.01).

Conclusions

Prevalence of DED, which has been reported to be high in the elderly, was considered high at 50.6% among young people in the present study. Caution or education regarding DED is necessary for people who have a high OSDI score, particularly females, contact lens wearers and people with allergic conjunctivitis.

Keywords: Dry eye, Ocular surface disease index, Prevalence, Young adult

Figures and Tables

Figure 1
The distribution of Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) score.
jkos-53-505-g001
Table 1
Prevalence of dry eye disease according to sex and severity
jkos-53-505-i001

Values are presented as number (%).

DED = dry eye disease; OSDI = Ocular Surface Disease Index.

Table 2
The comparison of mean OSDI scores according to the risk factors of dry eye
jkos-53-505-i002

Values are presented as number (%) or mean ± SD.

OSDI = Ocular Surface Disease Index.

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