Demographic and lifestyle risk factors of dry eye disease subtypes: A cross-sectional study.
PURPOSE
To evaluate demographic and lifestyle factors associated with aqueous deficient and evaporative dry eye disease.


METHODS
A total of 1125 general public visitors (707 females, mean ± SD age, 33 ± 21, range 5-90 years) at the Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition were recruited in a cross-sectional study. A demographic and lifestyle factor questionnaire was administered, and dry eye symptomology (DEQ-5 score), ocular surface characteristics (conjunctival hyperaemia, and infrared meibography), and tear film parameters (tear meniscus height, non-invasive breakup time, and lipid layer grade) were evaluated for the left eye of each participant within a single session. The diagnostic criteria for dry eye disease subtypes were adapted from the rapid non-invasive dry eye assessment algorithm.


RESULTS
Overall, 428 (38%) participants fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for dry eye disease, 161 (14%) with aqueous deficient dry eye disease, and 339 (30%) with evaporative dry eye disease. Multivariate logistic regression demonstrated that advancing age, female sex, reduced sleep duration, higher psychological stress, and poorer self-perceived health status were independently associated with aqueous deficient dry eye disease (all p < 0.05). Significant risk factors for evaporative dry eye disease included advancing age, East and South Asian ethnicity, contact lens wear, increased digital device screen exposure, higher psychological stress, and poorer self-perceived health status (all p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Both subtypes of dry eye disease were associated with several unique and shared demographic and lifestyle factors. The findings of this study could inform future research design investigating the utility of targeted screening and risk factor modification for the prevention and management of dry eye disease.
['Wolffsohn|James S|JS|', 'Wang|Michael T M|MTM|', 'Vidal-Rohr|Maria|M|', 'Menduni|Francesco|F|', 'Dhallu|Sandeep|S|', 'Ipek|Tugce|T|', 'Acar|Duygu|D|', 'Recchioni|Alberto|A|', 'France|Alex|A|', 'Kingsnorth|Alec|A|', 'Craig|Jennifer P|JP|']
D000293:Adolescent D000328:Adult D000368:Aged D000369:Aged, 80 and over D002648:Child D002675:Child, Preschool D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies D003710:Demography D015352:Dry Eye Syndromes D005260:Female D006801:Humans D008019:Life Style D008537:Meibomian Glands D008875:Middle Aged D012307:Risk Factors D013666:Tears D055815:Young Adult
Risk factor Dry eye Ocular surface Tear film Epidemiology Lacrimal gland Meibomian gland