February 08, 2021
Contact Lens & Anterior Eye
TAKE-HOME MESSAGE
- Clinical examination and lifestyle questionnaires were analyzed in a cohort of 322 patients aged 16 to 88 years. Results revealed that older age, female sex, and East Asian ethnicity were the non-modifiable factors associated with dry eyes, while increased digital screen time was a significant modifiable factor. Interestingly, increased caffeine consumption was protective against dry eyes.
- The authors conclude that additional research to determine the efficacy of preventative intervention and risk factor modification strategies is warranted.
Abstract
PURPOSE
To examine the association between modifiable lifestyle factors and dry eye disease.
METHODS
Three hundred and twenty-two community residents (186 females, 136 males; mean ± SD age, 41 ± 22 years) with no major systemic or ophthalmic conditions (other than dry eye disease) were recruited in a cross-sectional study. A lifestyle factor questionnaire was administered, and dry eye symptomology, ocular surface characteristics, and tear film quality were evaluated for each participant within a single clinical session, in accordance with the global consensus recommendations of the TFOS DEWS II reports.
RESULTS
A total of 111 (34 %) participants fulfilled the TFOS DEWS II diagnostic criteria for dry eye disease. Multivariate regression analysis demonstrated that advancing age, female sex, East Asian ethnicity, and increased digital screen exposure time were positive risk factors for dry eye disease (all p < 0.05), while increased caffeine consumption was a protective factor (p = 0.04).
CONCLUSIONS
Increased digital screen exposure time and reduced caffeine consumption were modifiable lifestyle factors associated with higher odds of dry eye disease. These findings might contribute to informing the design of future prospective research investigating the efficacy of preventative intervention and risk factor modification strategies.