The prevalence of dry eye syndrome among patients at the eye clinic in Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital

[摘要] Introduction: Dry eye syndrome (DES) is a multi-factorial disease of the tears andocular surface that results in ocular discomfort, visual disturbance, and tear-filminstability with potential damage to the ocular surface. The aim of the study was todetermine the prevalence of dry eye syndrome among patients at the Eye Clinic inNelson Mandela Academic Hospital (NMAH) in Mthatha. No study has been publishedon the prevalence of dry eye syndrome in the Eastern Cape Province.Method: This is an observational descriptive study that looked at the prevalence ofdry eye syndrome among patients at the eye clinic in Nelson Mandela AcademicHospital (NMAH). Dry eye syndrome was assessed using the Ocular Surface DiseaseIndex (OSDI) questionnaire, Tear-Break Up Time (TBUT) and Schirmer 2 Test. TheOSDI questionnaire was administered by a trained optical dispenser student to theparticipants that agreed to partake in the study. Following the completion of the OSDIquestionnaire, the three clinical tests were performed in sequence. The researcherused the same slit lamp for all the participants and tests. The researcher startedassessing for the Meibomian glands to determine whether the participant hadMeibomian gland dysfunction or not. After the assessment of Meibomian glands, theTBUT was measured. The Schirmer 2 test was performed 5 minutes later after theTBUT was performed. When performing the Schirmer 2 test, novesin wander wasused as a local anesthetic for all participants. The Schirmer strips were measured with a millimeter ruler after 5 minutes of inserting the strip in the lower lid of each eye. Astopwatch was used for timing when performing the TBUT and Schirmer 2 tests. Theoutcomes of each test were recorded on the data sheet that was marked uniquelyusing a code for each participant.Results: One hundred and fifty participants took part in the study, and 72% of theparticipants were females. The prevalence of dry eye syndrome was determined to be92.00% when using the OSDI. The OSDI determined the prevalence of severe dry eyesyndrome to be 64.67%. The Tear Break-Up Time (TBUT) and Schirmer's 2 testdetermined the prevalence of dry eye syndrome to be 64.67% and 62.67%respectively.Conclusion: There was high prevalence of DES among patients at the Eye clinic inNMAH. Females were predominantly affected more than males. An intervention fromhealth authorities is required in order to curb the disease. Eye care personnel, such as Ophthalmic nurses, Optometrists and Ophthalmologist should be made aware ofthe seriousness of the disease and its prevalence in order to encourage them to takeprecautions when managing other ocular disease to avoid turning a blind eye to thedisease. The inclusion of tear osmolarity testing as a tool in assisting with thediagnosis of dry eye syndrome will be recommended for future studies.

[发布机构] University of the Free State