A survey-based observational study on the prevalence and severity of dry eye symptoms in eye care professionals.

Clinical relevance: Dry eye disease (DED) is associated with use of video screen based gadgets and long hours spent looking through microscopes. Use of 3D goggles to view 3D screens leads to eye strain and worsening of dry eye symptoms. It is important to identify and treat the symptoms in professions carrying a high risk of DED.

Background: This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence and severity of dry eye symptoms in eye care professionals.

Methods: A semi-structured questionnaire survey was circulated via social media to eye care professionals. The survey was open for 2 weeks. The Standard Patient Evaluation of Eye Dryness (SPEED) questionnaire was used to evaluate dry eye symptoms with a total score of 28. There was no dry eye if score was <5. Score of 5 or more indicated symptomatic dry eye and ≥8 was severe dry eye. The effect of COVID-19 pandemic on DED was also evaluated.

Results: Out of 214 responses, 167 (78%) were from ophthalmologists and 47 (22%) from optometrists. The majority did not have refractive surgery, contact lens usage, or systemic disorders. Symptomatic DED was seen in 150/214 respondents (70%) and 119/214 (55.6%) had severe DED. Ophthalmologists (p = 0.016) and video display screen usage for >4 hours (p = 0.025) had a significant independent association with DED. Age >40 years (p = 0.168), female gender (p = 0.077), face mask usage (p = 0.15), and increased surgical time (p = 0.13) did not have any significant independent association. The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant effect on dry eye prevalence (p = 0.0003) and severity (p < 0.0002). The dry eye symptoms interfered with work in 47.7% of ophthalmologists and 57.4% of optometrists.

Conclusions: Dry eye symptoms are highly prevalent in eye care professionals. Increased usage of video display screens can aggravate DED. The dry eye symptoms can potentially interfere with their work.