Risk Factors for Dry Eye Syndrome

PURPOSE: To investigate the independent risk factors of dry eye syndrome (DES) in Chinese. METHODS: A hospital-based age- and sex-matched population was enrolled with a case-control ratio of 1:2, with 789 DES case patients and 1119 healthy family members. Both groups underwent standard ophthalmologic examinations, including slit-lamp evaluation of the anterior segment, measurement of tear film breakup time, Schirmer test, and corneal fluorescein staining. Data on demographic characteristics and lifestyle habits were collected using a questionnaire. Dry eye syndrome risk factors were identified by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: The following independent risk factors showed significant association with DES: diabetes (odds ratio [OR], 1.408; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.031 to 1.924), hepatitis C (OR, 3.326; 95% CI, 1.632 to 6.776); connective tissue disease (OR, 2.157; 95% CI, 1.679 to 2.771), benign prostatic hyperplasia (OR, 3.892; 95% CI, 2.476 to 6.116), rosacea (OR, 3.747; 95% CI, 1.972 to 7.120), posttraumatic stress disorder (OR, 1.449; 95% CI, 1.043 to 2.013), hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (OR, 7.269; 95% CI, 2.312 to 22.849), head and neck radiotherapy (OR, 8.776; 95% CI, 3.096 to 24.873), postmenopausal estrogen therapy (OR, 1.912; 95% CI, 1.160 to 3.151), antihistamines (OR, 2.040; 95% CI, 1.516 to 2.746), antidepressants (OR, 1.982; 95% CI, 1.077 to 3.647), contact lenses (OR, 2.366; 95% CI, 1.266 to 4.423), and video display terminal exposure for more than 6 h/d (OR, 2.275; 95% CI, 1.451 to 3.568). Potentially protective factors against DES were vitamin supplements (OR, 0.716; 95% CI, 0.528 to 0.972) and Ω-3 fatty acid-rich diet (OR, 0.514; 95% CI, 0.332 to 0.796). CONCLUSION: Several known risk factors of DES are applicable to Chinese, and some distinctive dietary factors may be protective in this population.