title: Epidemiology of symptoms of dry eye disease (DED) in Jordan: A cross-sectional non-clinical population-based study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the prevalence of dry eye disease (DED) symptoms and to identify associated risk factors in a general non-clinical population in Jordan.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this cross-sectional study, participants were selected randomly from the general non-clinical population in Jordan. Participants aged 18 years or over completed the Arabic version of Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire on dry eye symptoms.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The OSDI questionnaire was completed by 1039 subjects (609 female and 430 male). The mean OSDI score for the study population was 27, with 59% of subjects showed OSDI score ≥20 (a cut off score for mild DED symptoms). Females showed significantly higher mean OSDI score than males in the older age group (p=0.01). The prevalence of all dryness symptoms was markedly reported in older age group >45 years and contact lens wearers (p<0.05). The most commonly reported DED symptom was sensitivity to light and intense symptoms were markedly reported during windy conditions. Vision-related quality of life was also affected in subjects with dryness symptoms. Working with computers and ATM was among those that highly affected.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results show that symptoms of dry eye were prevalent in this non-clinical population. Contact lenses wear and older age were found to be associated with dry eye symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Department of Optometry, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Jordan. Electronic address: bakkar.may@gmail.com.
authors.forename: May M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Bakkar
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Jordan.
authors.forename: Wisam A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Shihadeh
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Department of Optometry, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Jordan.
authors.forename: Mera F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Haddad
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Department of Optometry, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Jordan.
authors.forename: Yousef S
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Khader
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016288:Computer Terminals / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003261:Contact Lenses / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015352:Dry Eye Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007597:Jordan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D063189:Symptom Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Dry eye disease; OSDI questionnaire; Risk factors; Symptoms