Prevalence and Association of Dry Eye Disease and Dry Skin Post COVID 19 Pandemic

Abstract

Background:The COVID-19 pandemic has led to lifestyle changes such as increased screen time, which has been associated with various health issues. Dry eye disease (DED) and dry skin are associated with lifestyle changes. However, the association between DED and dry skin during the pandemic remains underexplored. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of DED and its association with dry skin, along with identifying other risk factors for DED. Methods:A cross-sectional survey was conducted from December 2020 to June 2021 using Google Forms distributed through social media platforms. The questionnaire included the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) and the Baumann skin-type questionnaire.Data on demographics, gadget usage, and other relevant factors were collected. The chi-square test and descriptive statistics were performed for analysis.Results: Out of 510 participants who responded to the questionnaire, 342 (67%) subjects had dry eye disease (DED) based on OSDI scoring. Among the participants with DED, 135 (26.5%) had mild DED, 86 (16.9%) had moderate DED, and 121 (23.7%) had severe DED. We also found the prevalence of dry skin to be 36%. Among those with dry skin, 10 (2.0%) had very dry skin, and 173 (33.9%) had slightly dry skin. The chi-square test revealed a significant association between DED and dry skin (χ2 = 4.90; p = 0.027). Moreover, a significant association was observed between skin condition and DED severity (χ2 = 43.47; p < 0.001). However, there was no significant association between occupation and DED severity (χ2 = 4.40; p = 0.62). We found a significant association between the duration of gadget use and DED severity (χ2 = 18.59; p = 0.02). Conclusion:This study revealed the alarming prevalence of DED. We also identified a significant association between DED and dry skin. DED severity also exhibited a significant association with skin condition and duration of gadget usage.These findings indicate the importance of addressing DED and dry skin as interconnected health concerns, particularly concerning lifestyle changes induced by the COVID-19 pandemic. Early detection and management of DED and dry skin can improve the quality of life for affected individuals.