Assessment of Dry Eye Symptoms in Young Professional Musicians.

PURPOSE: The study aimed to assess dry eye symptomatology among young professional musicians, with particular attention to instrument type and practice-related variables.

METHODS

A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted including two groups: young professional musicians (experimental group) and non-music students (control group). Descriptive data such as age, sex, and instrument played were collected. Additionally, musician-specific variables were recorded, including age of instrument commencement, daily practice duration, and the number of weekly practice days. Dry eye symptoms were assessed using the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) and its subscales: Vision-Related Functioning (VRF), Ocular Symptoms (OS), and Environmental Triggers (ET). OSDI scores were classified into four severity levels.

RESULTS

Females exhibited higher scores on the ET subscale (p = 0.049). Among musicians, 41% reported dry eye symptoms, whereas only 26% of participants in the control group reported positive symptomatology. Statistically significant differences were observed in the total OSDI score (p = 0.023) and the ET subscale score (p = 0.005) when comparing young professional musicians with control participants. VRF (p = 0.048) and ET (p = 0.028) subscales scores were significantly higher among musicians who began playing their instrument before the age of 9. Among wind instrument players, a significant negative correlation was identified between the number of years playing the instrument and the OS subscale (r = -0.432, p = 0.015).

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that an earlier onset of musical training is associated with increased dry eye symptomatology, particularly related to environmental factors. Among wind instrument players, more years of practice appear to be linked to fewer ocular discomfort symptoms. These findings highlight the complex relationship between musical practice and ocular surface complaints in young professionals.