May 2008
Volume 49, Issue 13
Free
ARVO Annual Meeting Abstract  |   May 2008
The Prevalence, Risk Factors and Impact of Symptomatic Dry Eyes in an Asian Population: The Singapore Malay Eye Study
Author Affiliations & Notes
  • J. J. Siak
    Division of Ophthalmology, Changi General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
  • L. Tong
    Singapore National Eye Center, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore, Singapore
  • S.-M. Saw
    Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore, Singapore
    Department of Community, Occupational and Family Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
  • E. L. Lamoreux
    Center for Eye Research Australia, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
  • J. J. Wang
    Center for Eye Research Australia, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
    Center for Vision Research, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
  • M. Rosman
    Singapore National Eye Center, Singapore, Singapore
  • D. T. H. Tan
    Singapore National Eye Center, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore, Singapore
    Department of Ophthalmology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
  • T. Y. Wong
    Center for Eye Research Australia, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
    Singapore National Eye Center, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, Department of Community, Occupational and Family Medicine, National University of Singapore, Department of Ophthalmology, National University Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
  • Footnotes
    Commercial Relationships  J.J. Siak, None; L. Tong, None; S. Saw, None; E.L. Lamoreux, None; J.J. Wang, None; M. Rosman, None; D.T.H. Tan, None; T.Y. Wong, None.
  • Footnotes
    Support  National Medical Research Council Grants No 0796/2003, 0863/2004 and CSI/0002/2005, and Biomedical Research Council Grant No 501/1/25-5. Additional support by Singapore Tissue Network & MOH Singapore
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science May 2008, Vol.49, 1913. doi:
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      J. J. Siak, L. Tong, S.-M. Saw, E. L. Lamoreux, J. J. Wang, M. Rosman, D. T. H. Tan, T. Y. Wong; The Prevalence, Risk Factors and Impact of Symptomatic Dry Eyes in an Asian Population: The Singapore Malay Eye Study. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2008;49(13):1913.

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      © ARVO (1962-2015); The Authors (2016-present)

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Abstract

Purpose: : To describe the prevalence, associated factors and impact of symptomatic dry eyes in an Asian population.

Methods: : A population-based survey was conducted among 3,280 (78.7% response rate) Malay adults aged 40-79 from southwestern Singapore. Participants answered a standardized questionnaire and had systemic and ocular examinations. We defined symptomatic dry eyes if one or more self-reported symptoms were often present or present at all times.

Results: : The prevalence of symptomatic dry eyes was 6.5% (95% confidence interval [CI] 5.7, 7.4). The prevalence was 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 types, factors associated with symptomatic dry eyes were cigarette smoking (odds ratio [OR] 1.77, 95% CI: 1.17-2.66), thyroid diseases (OR 2.58; 95% CI 1.29-5.18) and higher incomes (OR 1.74; 95% CI 1.13-2.68). Symptomatic dry eyes were associated with self-reported difficulties in performing their work, family and leisure related daily activities (p=0.006).

Conclusions: : Symptomatic dry eyes are present in 6.5% of Singapore Malay adults aged 40-79 years, and associated with smoking, thyroid diseases and a reduced vision-related quality of life.

Keywords: cornea: tears/tear film/dry eye • clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: prevalence/incidence • clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: risk factor assessment 
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