Prevalence of Dry Eye Syndrome and Associated Factors Among University Students

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of dry eye syndrome (DES) and its association with risk factors among university students. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between May and November 2019 with 400 students at a foundation university. Data were collected face-to-face using a personal information form, the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI), and the Young Internet Addiction Test–Short Form (YIAT-SF). Non-parametric tests, Spearman correlation, and median regression analysis were applied. Results: Mild, moderate, and severe DES were observed in 19.7%, 15.6%, and 40.0% of students, respectively. The mean YIAT-SF score was 28.27 ± 8.29, indicating moderate to high levels of internet addiction. OSDI scores differed significantly by gender, class level, eye complaints, eye disease diagnosis, and use of glasses/contact lenses (p<.05). A positive, weak but significant correlation was found between OSDI and internet addiction scores (rho = 0.227; p<.01). Median regression analysis identified internet addiction, female gender, upper class level, and presence of eye complaints as significant predictors of OSDI scores. Conclusion: DES is prevalent among university students. Internet addiction, female gender, higher class level, and eye complaints were associated with higher OSDI scores. From a public health nursing perspective, strengthening education and awareness efforts to prevent dry eyes in university students at the primary prevention level, supporting behavioral change programs to reduce screen time, identifying at-risk groups, planning targeted interventions, and expanding eye health screenings are crucial.

Keywords

• dry eye syndrome
• ocular surface disease index
• internet addiction
• university students

Üniversite Öğrencilerinde Göz Kuruluğu Sendromunun Görülme Sıklığı ve İlişkili Faktörler

Abstract

Amaç: Üniversite öğrencileri arasında göz kuruluğu sendromu (DES) prevalansının ve risk faktörleri ile olan ilişkisinin incelenmesidir. Yöntem: Bu kesitsel çalışma, Mayıs-Kasım 2019 tarihleri arasında bir vakıf üniversitesinde öğrenim gören 400 öğrenciyle yürütülmüştür. Veriler, kişisel bilgi formu, Oküler Yüzey Hastalıkları İndeksi (OSDI) ve Young İnternet Bağımlılığı Testi-Kısa Formu (YIAT-SF) kullanılarak yüz yüze görüşme yöntemiyle toplanmıştır. Verilerin analizinde non-parametrik testler kullanılmış, spearman korelasyon katsayısı ve Medyan regresyon analizi kullanılmıştır. Bulgular: Öğrencilerin %19.7'sinde hafif, %15.6'sında orta ve %40'ında şiddetli kuru göz sendromu saptanmıştır. Young İnternet Bağımlılığı Testi Kısa Formu sonucuna göre öğrencilerin puan ortalaması 28.27±8.29 olarak belirlenmiştir. OSDI puanları cinsiyete, sınıf düzeyine, gözle ilgili şikâyetlere, göz hastalığı tanısına ve gözlük/lens kullanımına göre anlamlı farklılık göstermiştir (p<.05). OSDI puanı ile internet bağımlılığı arasında anlamlı ve pozitif bir korelasyon saptanmıştır (rho = 0.227, p<.01). Medyan regresyon analizinde internet bağımlılığı düzeyi, kadın cinsiyeti, üst sınıf düzeyi ve göz şikâyeti varlığı OSDI için anlamlı yordayıcılar olarak belirlenmiştir. Sonuç: Üniversite öğrencilerinde kuru göz sendromunun yaygın olduğu belirlenmiştir. İnternet bağımlılığı, kadın cinsiyeti, ileri sınıf düzeyi ve gözle ilgili sağlık öyküsünün öğrencilerde OSDI puanlarını artıran önemli etkenler olduğu görülmüştür. Halk sağlığı hemşireliği açısından birincil koruma düzeyinde üniversite öğrencilerinde göz kuruluğunu önlemeye yönelik eğitim ve farkındalık çalışmalarını güçlendirilmesi, ekran süresini azaltmaya ve göz kırpmaya yönelik davranış değişikliği programlarının desteklenmesi ve riskli grupların belirlenerek hedefli müdahalelerin planlanması, göz sağlığı taramalarının yaygınlaştırılması önem taşımaktadır.

Keywords

• kuru göz sendromu
• oküler yüzey hastalığı indeksi
• internet bağımlılığı
• üniversite öğrencisi

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