Prevalence of Dry Eye Disease Among Medical Students and Its Association with Sleep Habits, Use of Electronic Devices and Caffeine Consumption: A Cross-Sectional Questionnaire

Abstract

Introduction

Dry eye disease (DED) is a common and multifactorial disease of the ocular surface which causes visual disturbance and feelings of discomfort among patients. The prevalence rate among medical students is an important issue to consider. This study investigates the relationship between caffeine consumption, sleeping habits, use of electronic devices, and DED among a convenient sample of medical students in Jordan.

Methods

This cross-sectional online survey enrolled medical students from all six medical schools in Jordan. The questionnaire, which was shared via social media platforms, assessed socio-demographics, caffeine consumption amounts and patterns, sleep quality, and the use of electronic devices and their relation to ocular discomfort, DED, and related symptoms. The ocular surface disease index (OSDI) questionnaire was also administered to quantify the symptoms of DED.

Results

A total of 1223 students participated in this study (RR=24.46%); 64% were females, and 43% were in their clinical placement years. Of the participants, 317 (25.92%) had normal eyes, and 906 (74.08%) had symptomatic DED. Of the students, 1206 (98.6%) used electronic devices directly before bed, and only 399 (32.62%) used blue-light-protective glasses. Lower DED risk was linked to male gender (OR=0.535, 95% CI 0.392–0.73, p <0.01), clinical years of medical school (OR=0.564, 95% CI 0.424–0.75, p<0.01). Poor sleep quality corresponded to more incidence of DED, regardless of sleeping for 5–6 hours (OR=3.046, 95% CI 1.299–7.139, p=0.01) or for less than 5 hours (OR=3.942, 95% CI 1.824–8.519, p<0.01). Also, caffeine consumption only marginally affected its incidence, but the results were statistically insignificant.

Conclusion

Female gender, basic science years, and spending more than 6 hours looking at screens were significantly associated with symptomatic DED. Caffeine consumption did not pose any significant risk to the incidence of DED.

Keywords:

• caffeine
• dry eye
• medical students
• screen exposure
• sleep quality

Data Sharing Statement

All data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this article. Further enquiries can be directed to the corresponding author.

Statement of Ethics

The study was conducted according to the Helsinki Declaration principles and was reviewed and approved by the Institutional Review Board of the Jordanian Ministry of Health, Amman, Jordan, Approval Number [1539].

Consent to Participate Statement

Informed consent was obtained from all participants included in the study.

Acknowledgment

The authors would like to thank Mr Wesam Ismail for his effort in editing this manuscript.

Author Contributions

All authors made substantial contributions to conception and design, acquisition of data, or analysis and interpretation of data; took part in drafting the article or revising it critically for important intellectual content; agreed to submit to the current journal; gave final approval of the version to be published; and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Funding

The publication of this article was funded by the Qatar National Library.