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Dry eye symptoms among diabetics: an exploratory study on knowledge, attitude, and practice
Affiliations- Section of Ophthalmology, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
- Section of Ophthalmology, South City Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan
open access
Abstract
Background: The objective of the study was to explore the awareness of dry eye symptoms among diabetics attending a tertiary care hospital in Karachi.
Material and methods: Twenty-five diabetic patients aged ≥ 40 years were selected from the diabetic clinic of the
Aga Khan University Hospital Karachi using convenience sampling. Our primary focus was to determine whether diabetics knew that they were at high risk of developing dry eye symptoms. Participants were also asked both openand closed-ended questions to explore their attitude and practices in relation to dry eye symptoms such as burning, stinging, grittiness, and discomfort.
Results: None of the 25 diabetics we interviewed knew that diabetics as compared to their non-diabetic counterparts were at higher risk of developing dry eye syndrome. They did not know about the signs, symptoms, and complications of dry eyes. Twelve participants had symptoms of dry eyes. Among these, five reported washing their eyes with cold water, four reported using no remedy, and one reported using surma. No one reported having consulted an eye doctor.
Conclusion: Our study concludes that diabetics did not know that they had an increased risk of developing dry eye symptoms compared with their non-diabetic counterparts. Population-based research is needed to assess dry eye related risk awareness and control measures among diabetics.
Abstract
Background: The objective of the study was to explore the awareness of dry eye symptoms among diabetics attending a tertiary care hospital in Karachi.
Material and methods: Twenty-five diabetic patients aged ≥ 40 years were selected from the diabetic clinic of the
Aga Khan University Hospital Karachi using convenience sampling. Our primary focus was to determine whether diabetics knew that they were at high risk of developing dry eye symptoms. Participants were also asked both openand closed-ended questions to explore their attitude and practices in relation to dry eye symptoms such as burning, stinging, grittiness, and discomfort.
Results: None of the 25 diabetics we interviewed knew that diabetics as compared to their non-diabetic counterparts were at higher risk of developing dry eye syndrome. They did not know about the signs, symptoms, and complications of dry eyes. Twelve participants had symptoms of dry eyes. Among these, five reported washing their eyes with cold water, four reported using no remedy, and one reported using surma. No one reported having consulted an eye doctor.
Conclusion: Our study concludes that diabetics did not know that they had an increased risk of developing dry eye symptoms compared with their non-diabetic counterparts. Population-based research is needed to assess dry eye related risk awareness and control measures among diabetics.
Keywords
dry eye disease; diabetics; ocular complications with diabetes
About this articleTitle
Dry eye symptoms among diabetics: an exploratory study on knowledge, attitude, and practice
Journal
Issue
Vol 4 (2019): Continuous Publishing
Article type
Original paper
Pages
105-108
Published online
2019-12-06
Page views
730
Article views/downloads
587
DOI
Bibliographic record
Ophthalmol J 2019;4:105-108.
Keywords
dry eye disease
diabetics
ocular complications with diabetes
Authors
Zubaida Sirang
Tanveer Anjum Chaudhry
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