Clinical Ophthalmology (Nov 2023)
Symptomatic Dry Eye Disease and Associated Factors Among Adult Diabetic Patients in Adare General Hospital, Hawassa City, Southern Ethiopia, 2023
Abstract
Asnake Gezahegn Bekele,1 Yezinash Addis Alimaw,2 Melkamu Temeselew Tegegn2 1Department of Ophthalmology, Madda Walabu University Goba Referral Hospital, Goba City, Ethiopia; 2Department of Optometry, College of Medicine and Health Science, University of Gondar, Gondar, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Melkamu Temeselew Tegegn, Department of Optometry, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, PO Box: 196, Gondar, Ethiopia, Email [email protected]: Symptomatic dry eye disease is a multifactorial ocular surface condition caused by disruption of the precorneal tear film and is a common clinical finding in diabetic patients. However, there was no study on the prevalence and associated factors of symptomatic dry eye disease among diabetic patients in Ethiopia or in the study area.Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and associated factors of symptomatic dry eye disease among adult diabetic patients in Adare General Hospital, Hawassa City, Southern Ethiopia, in 2023.Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study design was conducted on 493 adult diabetic patients who were selected using systematic random sampling, from April 23 to June 8, 2023. Data were collected through a face-to-face interview using an ocular surface disease index questionnaire. Binary logistic regression was performed to identify factors potentially associated with symptomatic dry eye disease. Variable with a P value of 5 hours (AOR = 4.41, 95% CI = 1.51– 12.87), duration of diabetes ≥ 11 years (AOR = 3.57, 95% CI = 1.28– 9.90), poor glycemic control (AOR = 2.13, 95% CI = 1.21– 3.75), allergic conjunctivitis (AOR = 1.99, 95% CI = 1.12– 3.54), and debris in the tear film (AOR = 3.63, 95% CI = 1.53– 8.61) were positively associated with symptomatic dry eye disease.Conclusion: The study revealed a high prevalence of symptomatic dry eye disease. Higher educational status, government employed, use of visual display unit, longer duration of diabetes, poor glycemic control, allergic conjunctivitis, and tear film debris were significantly associated with symptomatic dry eye disease. Breaks in screen use, good glycemic control, and treatment of ocular morbidities such as allergic conjunctivitis and debris in the tear film were recommended for all diabetic patients.Keywords: symptomatic dry eye disease, Hawassa City, diabetic patients, Southern Ethiopia
