Dry Eye Symptoms Among Radiologists: A National Survey From Saudi Arabia
Published 2024 - 42nd Congress of the ESCRS
Reference: PO958 | Type: Poster | DOI: 10.82333/az6j-vz46
Authors: Waseem Aalam* 1 , Ayman Alhasan 2
1Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine,University of Jeddah,Jeddah,Saudi Arabia, 2Radiology Department, College of Medicine,Taibah University,Medina,Saudi Arabia
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of DED among radiologists in Saudi Arabia, and to determine the potential factors associated with DED.
Setting
This nationwide cross-sectional web-based survey took place between January and March 2021 and included all radiologists and radiology residents residing and practicing in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and registered with the Saudi Commission for Heath Specialties (SCHS).
The sample size was calculated using OpenEpi software (Version 3.0, Open Source Epidemiologic Statistics for Public Health, USA)
Methods
Radiologists and radiology residents were recruited in a nationwide cross-sectional study. A demographic and lifestyle factor web-based survey was administered, and a Standardized Patient Evaluation of Eye Dryness (SPEED) Questionnaire was used to assess the epidemiology of DED. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software.
Results
: Of the 416 participants who completed the survey (64.4% male, mean age: 35.8±8.41), 356 respondents reported DED with at least one symptom (85.5%, 95% CI: 82.5%-89.2%).
Moderate-grade and severe-grade DED symptoms occurred in 187 (45%) and 40 (9.6%) of radiologists, respectively. Eye fatigue, burning and watering were the most severe symptoms of DED. The median SPEED score was 6.0 (IQR = 8). The DED score was positively correlated with female gender, having the status of resident-in-training, using eyeglasses, having a history of refractive surgery in the past, and higher number of hours spent on the PACS monitors per day (p<0.05).
Conclusions
Dry eye disease is a major ophthalmologic condition with a high prevalence among the radiologists. We report well-documented factors associated with DED and new associations deserving further investigation.