Comparative study between smokers and nonsmokers regarding dry eye

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between smoking and dry eye in the adult population. Patients and methods A total of 500 male patients, 250 smokers and 250 nonsmokers, were recruited for this study in the period between May 2015 and April 2016. In addition to history taking and general examination, all participants were asked about eye irritation symptoms and were subjected to slit lamp and fundus examination. Schirmer 2 test, using topical anesthesia, tear break-up time (TBUT), and rose bengal staining were done for all study participants. Results There was no statistically significant difference between the age of patients in both groups. The mean age of smokers was 41.44±7.55 years, whereas in nonsmokers it was 39.97±7.59 years. Schirmer 2 test values were significantly lower in smokers compared with nonsmokers (P=0.017). In smokers, the mean value of Schirmer 2 test was 13.91±6.81 mm, whereas in nonsmokers it was 16.58±7.41 mm. TBUT values of the smokers were significantly lower in smokers than in nonsmokers (P=0.035). It averaged 11.9±5.8 s in smokers and 14.9±5.5 s in nonsmokers. The rose bengal staining scores did not differ between the two groups (P=0.467). Additionally, a linear negative correlation was detected between smoking index of smokers and their Schirmer 2 test and TBUT values. The eye irritation indices of the smokers were statistically higher than those of the nonsmokers (P=0.0007). Conclusion The findings of this study suggest that smoking affects the tear film secretion and stability. In addition, it causes eye irritation symptoms, and so smokers are more likely to have dry eyes and severity of dry eye is more in smokers than in nonsmokers.

Keywords

• comparison
• dry eye
• eye irritation index
• rose bengal staining
• schirmer 2
• smoking
• tear break-up time