The Prevalence and Risk Factors for Dry Eye Disease among Older Adults in the City of Lodz, Poland

Purpose: To estimate the prevalence and risk factors for dry eye disease (DED) in a sample population of Polish older adults. Material and methods: Cross-sectional and observational study of 1107 men and women of European Caucasian origin aged 35 - 97 years, who were interviewed and underwent detailed ophthalmic examinations. DED was defined as presence of a previous clinical diagnosis of dry eye with concomitant dry eye treatment. Results: The overall prevalence of DED in the researched population was 6.7% (95% CI 5.2 - 8.2). The prevalence of DED increased with age from 4.8% in age group 35 - 59 years to 8.3% in group aged ≥60 years. The prevalence of DED was also higher in women 8.1% than in men 4.7%. In multiple logistic regression modelling with age, gender, presence of cataract surgery and glaucoma or ocular hypertension (OHT) treatment, DED was significantly associated with older age (OR 1.99, 95% CI 1.21 - 3.30) and with female gender (OR 1.76, 95% CI 1.05 - 2.96). Conclusions: The prevalence of DED in our study population was comparable with the findings of other studies from Europe and the United States, with significantly higher rates among women and elderly subjects.