The prevalence of dry eye syndrome among patients at the eye clinic in Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital
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Date
2019-01
Authors
Nonkula, Doran Monwabisi
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of the Free State
Abstract
Introduction: Dry eye syndrome (DES) is a multi-factorial disease of the tears and
ocular surface that results in ocular discomfort, visual disturbance, and tear-film
instability with potential damage to the ocular surface. The aim of the study was to
determine the prevalence of dry eye syndrome among patients at the Eye Clinic in
Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital (NMAH) in Mthatha. No study has been published
on the prevalence of dry eye syndrome in the Eastern Cape Province.
Method: This is an observational descriptive study that looked at the prevalence of
dry eye syndrome among patients at the eye clinic in Nelson Mandela Academic
Hospital (NMAH). Dry eye syndrome was assessed using the Ocular Surface Disease
Index (OSDI) questionnaire, Tear-Break Up Time (TBUT) and Schirmer 2 Test. The
OSDI questionnaire was administered by a trained optical dispenser student to the
participants that agreed to partake in the study. Following the completion of the OSDI
questionnaire, the three clinical tests were performed in sequence. The researcher
used the same slit lamp for all the participants and tests. The researcher started
assessing for the Meibomian glands to determine whether the participant had
Meibomian gland dysfunction or not. After the assessment of Meibomian glands, the
TBUT was measured. The Schirmer 2 test was performed 5 minutes later after the
TBUT was performed. When performing the Schirmer 2 test, novesin wander was
used 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. A
stopwatch was used for timing when performing the TBUT and Schirmer 2 tests. The
outcomes of each test were recorded on the data sheet that was marked uniquely
using a code for each participant.
Results: One hundred and fifty participants took part in the study, and 72% of the
participants were females. The prevalence of dry eye syndrome was determined to be
92.00% when using the OSDI. The OSDI determined the prevalence of severe dry eye
syndrome to be 64.67%. The Tear Break-Up Time (TBUT) and Schirmer’s 2 test
determined 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 in
NMAH. Females were predominantly affected more than males. An intervention from
health authorities is required in order to curb the disease. Eye care personnel, such as Ophthalmic nurses, Optometrists and Ophthalmologist should be made aware of
the seriousness of the disease and its prevalence in order to encourage them to take
precautions when managing other ocular disease to avoid turning a blind eye to the
disease. The inclusion of tear osmolarity testing as a tool in assisting with the
diagnosis of dry eye syndrome will be recommended for future studies.
Description
Keywords
Prevalence, Dry eye syndrome (DES), Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI), Tear-Break Up Time (TBUT), Schirmer 2 Test, Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital (NMAH), Dissertation (M. Optometry (Optometry))--University of the Free State, 2019