Dry eye, its clinical subtypes and associated factors in healthy pregnancy: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

The study determined the frequency of dry eye, its clinical subtypes and risk factors among pregnant women. This study was a hospital-based cross-sectional study of pregnant women visiting the antenatal clinic of the University of Cape Coast hospital. Clinical dry eye tests were performed along with the administration of a symptom questionnaire. Frequencies, chi-square analysis and logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine the frequency of dry eye disease, its clinical subtypes and associated factors. The prevalence of dry eye disease among the cohort of pregnant women was 82/201 (40.8% 95% confidence interval 34.3%-47.3%). Among the 82 pregnant women with dry eye disease, the frequencies of the clinical subtypes of dry eye were: evaporative dry eye [15/82(18.3%; 95% CI, 12.2%–25.2%)], aqueous deficient dry eye [10/82(12.2.%; 95% CI, 7.3%–18.3)], mixed dry eye [6/82(7.3%; 95% CI, 3.7%–11.0%)], and unclassified dry eye [51/82(62.2%; 95% CI, 52.4%–72.0%)]. Binary logistic regression analysis showed that the following factors were not significantly associated with dry eye: age, BMI, lipid profile, prolactin level, testosterone level, ocular protection index and blink rate. Only gestational age was significantly associated with dry eye disease in pregnancy. In conclusion, the current study showed that dry eye disease occurs frequently in pregnant women ranging from the first to the third trimester and it is associated with increasing gestational age. The evaporative dry eye was more common compared to the aqueous deficient dry eye, but most dry eye could not be classified.

Subjective Dry Eye Symptoms in Pregnant Women–A SPEED Survey

“…A recent study, by Rizyal et al reported that dry eye prevalence among pregnant women varies between 27.4% and 89.3% depending on the clinical criteria like tear breakup time and Schirmer's test used for dry eye diagnosis [ 30 ]. In fact, in a hospital-based cross-sectional study of pregnant women, 40.8% of dry eye disease was diagnosed with clinical dry eye tests and dry eye questionnaire [ 31 ]. While the presence of evaporative dry eye was not significantly associated with systemic parameters, they reported gestational age to be significantly associated [ 31 ].…”

“…In fact, in a hospital-based cross-sectional study of pregnant women, 40.8% of dry eye disease was diagnosed with clinical dry eye tests and dry eye questionnaire [ 31 ]. While the presence of evaporative dry eye was not significantly associated with systemic parameters, they reported gestational age to be significantly associated [ 31 ]. The current study, on the other hand, observed that coexisting systemic conditions, such as diabetes, hypertension, and thyroid disease, were significantly associated with the occurrence of dry eye symptoms.…”

Pregnancy and the eye: What do we need to watch out for? A review

“…Dry eye is frequently reported in pregnancy. 10,16 Evaporative dry eyes is more frequent than aqueous deficiency dry eyes in pregnancy. 16 The proposed mechanism of dry The physiological changes from pregnancy may be protective against glaucoma.…”

“…This results in damage to the lacrimal acinar cells and hence altered lacrimal gland secretions. 16 In addition, elevated oestrogen and progesterone levels in pregnancy can reduce the effect of androgen on the ocular surface by competitive antagonism. 17 Pregnant women can be treated with lubricating eye drops as they are not associated with adverse neonatal outcomes.…”

Does Menopausal Status Affect Dry Eye Disease Treatment Outcomes with OC-01 (Varenicline Solution) Nasal Spray? A Post Hoc Analysis of ONSET-1 and ONSET-2 Clinical Trials

“…Women are impacted by DED at a disproportionate rate, are diagnosed at an earlier age, and generally suffer more pronounced symptoms as compared with men [ 5 ]. Additionally, DED is known to be associated with both menopause and pregnancy [ 6 ], suggesting that changes in hormone levels may result in disruption of ocular surface homeostasis.…”