The relationship between symptomatic dry eye and occupation.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To check the relationship between symptomatic dry eye disease and different occupations. Environmental factors play an
important etiological role in dry eye.

METHOD: A cross-sectional survey was done on 174 subjects presenting in Mayo Hospital Eye Outdoor department with the help of a selfdesigned, pre-tested questionnaire based on the symptoms of dry eye disease. Questionnaire was used to assess the relationship between occupation and dry eye disease. The study included participants of both genders of different age groups. Verbal consent was taken by every respondent before being interviewed. SPSS 21 software was used for data analysis.

RESULTS: Use of VDTs, sedentary occupations with indoor working environments with air conditioners, occupations demanding prolonged use of computers, working in the presence of germs, toxins, chemicals and climatic factors that effects the eye in the adverse manner were found to be at highest risk of dry eye disease. While occupations which involved more physical movement, social working, less digital working and government employees showed lowest risk of DED. Subjects with occupations like accounting, graphic designing, managers etc. showed highest prevalence of symptomatic dry eye disease. And medical representatives, office boys, government employees showed lowest prevalence of dry eye disease.

CONCLUSION: It was found that the people who had indoor occupations showed high prevalence of symptomatic dry eye disease and
people who had outdoor and physically active occupations were at a lower risk of developing dry eye disease.

KEYWORDS: Symptomatic dry eye disease, VDTs, occupation, indoor and outdoor occupations.