A questionnaire-based assessment of symptoms associated with tear film dysfunction and lid margin disease in an Asian population.
OBJECTIVE
To study the prevalence, associated factors and impact of symptomatic dry eye in an Asian population.


METHODS
A population based survey of eye diseases in 3,280 (78.7% response rate) Malay persons aged 40-80 selected from designated areas in southwestern Singapore. Participants were administered a standardized dry eye questionnaire consisting of 6 questions on symptoms, and had a comprehensive systemic and ocular examination. Symptoms of tear film dysfunction (STFD) was defined as one or more self-reported symptoms that were frequently present (ranked often or all the time).


RESULTS
The prevalence rate of STFD was 6.5% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 5.7, 7.4). The prevalence was significantly higher in men compared to women (8.2% and 4.9%, respectively; p < 0.001) and decreased with age in men (p = 0.002) but not in women (p = 0.101). After adjusting for age, gender, nature of work (outdoor/indoor), and housing type, factors significantly associated with STFD were cigarette smoking (odds ratio [OR] 1.77, 95% CI: 1.17-2.66), thyroid disease (OR 2.58; 95% CI: 1.29-5.18) and higher income (OR 1.74; 95% CI: 1.13-2.68). STFD were associated with self-reported difficulty in performing daily activities (work, family and leisure related) (p = 0.006).


CONCLUSIONS
STFD are present in 6.5% of Singapore Malay adults and is associated with cigarette smoking, presence of thyroid disease and a reduced visual function-related quality of life.
Tong
Louis
L
Singapore National Eye Center, Singapore.
Tongg
Louis
L
Saw
Seang-Mei
SM
Lamoureux
Ecosse L
EL
Wang
Jie Jin
JJ
Rosman
Mohamad
M
Tan
Donald T H
DT
Wong
Tien Y
TY
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015352:Dry Eye Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005141:Eyelid Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012846:Singapore / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires