High incidence of dry eye syndrome found in elderly Tibetan population

A large study conducted in China's Sichuan province has found a high prevalence rate of dry eye syndrome among a population of elderly Tibetans who live at high altitudes.

Peng Lu, MD, and colleagues at Sichuan University in Chengdu performed a standardized survey to assess the prevalence, symptoms and risk factors of dry eye syndrome among 2,229 Tibetan natives aged 40 years or older. Dry eye symptoms were evaluated using a six-item validated questionnaire. Dry eye syndrome was diagnosed based on the frequent or enduring incidence of one or more symptoms. Positive signs for the disorder included a tear film breakup time of 10 seconds or less in one or both eyes, a Schirmer test score of 5 mm or less and a fluorescein score of 1 or more.

Of 2,229 participants, the researchers analyzed data for 1,840 participants, of which 52% were symptomatic.

A tear film breakup time of 10 seconds or less was seen in 35.3% of patients, a Schirmer test score of 5 mm or less was seen in 24.7% of participants, and a fluorescein score of 1 or more was seen in 5.8% of participants, the authors noted.

"The correlations between dry eye symptoms and signs were statistically significant," the authors said.

The researchers identified positive dry eye signs, increased age, low education level, socioeconomic status and higher altitude as independent risk factors for the disorder, according to the study, published in the June issue of Cornea.