Dry eye disease in Japan: An epidemiologic study

Purpose: To review our previous studies regarding the prevalence of dry eye disease (DED) and risk factors among Japanese high school students and office workers who use visual display terminals (VDTs). Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Japanese high school students and office workers who currently use VDT. Subjects completed the same questionnaires designed to ascertain a diagnosis of DED and its symptoms and information on possible risk factors such as age, duration of VDT use, type of VDT work, environmental factors, presence of systemic diseases, and contact lens (CL) use. We used logistic regression analysis to examine the associations between DED and other factors. Results: Among 3433 high school students assessed, severe symptoms of DED were observed in 21.0% of boys and 24.4% of girls. CL wear was associated with significantly higher prevalence of severe DED symptoms in both boys [odds ratio (OR), 4.14] and girls (OR, 4.68). Among 4393 VDT users, severe symptoms of DED were observed in 26.9% of men and 48.0% of women. VDT use > 4 hours per day was associated with increased risk of DED (OR, 1.83). CONCLUSION: DED is commonly encountered among Japanese high school students and VDT users. The condition is more prevalent among women, CL wearers, and prolonged VDT users.