Epidemiological study of dry eye disease and its influencing factors among soldiers on an island in South China Sea

Abstract

Objective To investigate the epidemiological characteristics of dry eye disease in soldiers located on an island in South China Sea and to analyze its influencing factors. Methods From January 1 to March 31, 2021, a random sample survey was conducted on the soldiers and officers of a military unit located on the island. The subjects were required to fill Salisbury Eye Evaluation Questionnaire (SEEQ), and subsequently given routine ophthalmological examination as well as tear film break-up time test (BUT), Schirmer Ⅰ test (SIT) and fluorescein stain test (FLT), so as to calculate the prevalence of dry eye among the subjects. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were performed to identify the influencing factors for dry eye. Results Among the 612 sampled subjects, 545 participants completed the questionnaire and underwent ophthalmological examination and other tests effectively, with a survey response rate of 89.05%. The questionnaire indicated that the frequency of each symptom was negatively correlated with its duration. One hundred subjects (18.35%) showed frequently and even persistent dryness of eyes, and some presented multiple dry eye symptoms simultaneously. In the BUT test, 415 eyes (38.08%) were 0. According to the diagnosis standard of dry eye disease, 175 subjects (32.11%) were consequently identified as dry eye. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses indicated that station duration on an island >3 years (P=0.018), high temperature during working (P < 0.001), sun exposure (P=0.048), longtime staring at digital screens (P=0.004) and smoking history (P=0.033) were of statistical significances. Conclusion The prevalence of dry eye is quit high among the soldiers stationing on the island in South China Sea. Station time on an island longer than 3 years, high temperature during working, sun exposure, overuse of digital screens and smoking history are the risk factors for dry eye disease.

Keywords

• dry eye disease
• south china sea
• prevalence
• questionnaire
• influencing factors