PREVALENCE OF DRY EYE SYNDROME AMONG MEDICAL UNIVERSITY STUDENTS DEPENDING ON VARIOUS RISK FACTORS

Abstract. Dry eye syndrome is widespread, with an incidence ranging from 5% to 50%, reaching up to 75% in some populations. The number of patients with this pathology is growing every year, while there is a tendency to increase in the incidence at a young age. Aim of the study. To estimate the frequency of DES among medical university students depending on various risk factors. Materials and methods. 52 students of medical university participated in extensive ophthalmic investigation, the median age was 22.8 ± 2.6 years. The OSDI (ocular surface disease index) questionnaire is used to evaluate subjective symptoms of dry eye syndrome. Risk factors for the development and progression of DES were registered: long-term wearing of personal protective equipment (PPE) for respiratory organs and the eye surface, wearing of soft contact lenses, keratorefractive surgery, and diseases of eye and blepharon in past medical history, duration of electronic devices use. Results. The OSDI questionnaire revealed the presence of DES in 56% of the subjects: mild — in 38%, moderate — in 12%, severe — in 6%; the tear film break-up time (TFBT) revealed the presence of DES in 48%. The presence of at least one DES risk factor was found in 71% of students, two factors — in 26.9%, and three or more — in 13.5%. Long-term computer use (50%), prolonged wearing of PPE for respiratory organs and the eye surface (30.7%) and wearing soft contact lenses (19.2%) were the most common. A relationship between the presence of risk factors and the prevalence of DES has been established: according to OSDI questionnaire the prevalence of DES is greater than 30% in persons with risk factors, and according to TFBT is greater than 14%. Conclusion. The revealed high incidence of DES among medical students is a result of scientific and technological progress (computerization in all areas including education), current epidemiological situation (wearing of personal protective equipment) and noticeable increase in the number of ophthalmological patients who need vision correction (with soft contact lenses or keratorefractive surgery). The presence of these risk factors reinforces already existing increasing trend in the prevalence of DES.