The SPEED questionnaire was good in separating asymptomatic and symptomatic participants in comparison with the OSDI. This indicates that the SPEED questionnaire is a valid measure for dry eye symptoms even in a nonclinical sample and would be useful in epidemiological studies and clinical practice for dry eye symptom assessment.

The prevalence of symptomatic dry eye among undergraduate students in Ghana is high and it is associated with self-medication with over-the-counter eye drops, allergies, use of oral contraceptive, windy conditions, very low humid areas, air-conditioned rooms, and sex. Relevant input directed against modifiable risks factors may have a positive impact on the well-being of undergraduate students in Ghana.

The study showed that the severity of dry eye symptoms impacted on psychosomatic symptoms and quality of life. The study also revealed that the severity of dry eye symptoms impacted more on the depressive symptoms compared with other psychosomatic symptoms in this youthful clinical sample.

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