Posters

Estimated prevalence of dry eye syndrome in adults assisting to out-patient area of Teodoro Maldonado Carbo Hospital from January to April 2015

Poster Details

First Author: P. Galarza ECUADOR

Co Author(s):    E. Viteri                    

Abstract Details

Purpose:

Estimate the prevalence of dry eye syndrome (DES) and its associated factors in a hospital based sample. Compare the patient-centered questionnaires used for its diagnosis and propose a new one for local use.

Setting:

Consult area of Teodoro Maldonado Carbo Hospital, Guayaquil, Ecuador.

Methods:

Cross-sectional study, 200 non randomized subjects from the outpatient area of a tertiary level hospital in Guayaquil, Ecuador completed 4 DES symptoms questionnaires translated from recent literature and one proposed by the authors (Galarza-Viteri).

Results:

The age median was 33 years (Q1=25; Q3= 56) and 65% were female. The prevalence varies according to each questionnaire (27%-88%). Daily use of computer was significantly associated with a higher prevalence of dry eye symptoms (69.9% vs 56.2%, p=0.018). The correlation amongst questionnaires was found to be moderate (r2 >0.5 <0.8). The Galarza-Viteri survey identifies the higher proportion (94.8%) of DES symptomatic participants when more than one questionnaires catalogues them as such.

Conclusions:

There is an important DES prevalence which significantly rises in daily visual terminal users. The questionnaire proposed by the authors correlates with the translated surveys used to estimate DES and accomplishes a good correlation with the symptoms reported according to the number of questionnaires used.

Financial Disclosure:

NONE