Association between potential factors and dry eye disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND

The 2017 TFOS DEWS II report provided an overview of the epidemiology of dry eye disease (DED) and identified several potential risk factors. This study aimed to conduct a meta-analysis on these potential risk factors.

METHODS

A comprehensive systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases to include observational studies. Two researchers independently extracted adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs), and a random-effects model was used to combine the data. Results were reported using odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% CIs.

RESULTS

The meta-analysis results showed that the risk factors for DED were smoking (OR 1.18, 95% CI 1.07-1.29), alcohol consumption (OR 1.18, 95% CI 1.03-1.35), rosacea or acne (OR 1.96, 95% CI 1.56-2.45), allergic conjunctivitis (OR 4.59, 95% CI 3.38-6.23), refractive surgery (OR 1.78, 95% CI 1.05-3.00), diabetes (OR 1.14, 95% CI 1.06-1.22), thyroid disease (OR 1.57, 95% CI 1.36-1.82), viral infections (OR 1.54, 95% CI 1.33-1.78), anxiety (OR 2.39, 95% CI 1.30-4.39), depression (OR 1.59, 95% CI 1.39-1.82), post-traumatic stress disorder (OR 1.43, 95% CI 1.42-1.45), and stress (OR 1.59, 95% CI 1.24-2.05). However, there was no significant association between Hispanic ethnicity, menopause, past smoking, current smoking, multivitamin use, and DED.

CONCLUSION

These findings provide valuable insights for further research on the prevention and treatment of dry eye disease.