Dry eye symptoms using the Ocular Surface Disease Index: a pre COVID-19 study from Sweden

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of dry eye symptoms in the Swedish population using a web-based version of the ocular surface disease index (OSDI). A web-based version of the OSDI questions was implemented in an online form using a software developed by Artologik. The link to the form was distributed via Linnaeus University social media pages. Basic demographic information such as age, sex and county of residence was also collected. A total of 404 complete responses were received, 303 respondents (75%) were females, the median age = 39 (interquartile range = 28-53) years, median OSDI-score = 19 (interquartile range = 9-32). Crude prevalence of dry eye symptoms (categories mild to severe) was 65% (95% CI = 62-75). The difference in prevalence between males and females was statistically significant (chi-square test, p = 0.007). The current study found that the prevalence of dry eye symptoms among a sample of the Swedish population was 65%. These results highlight the need to investigate further the prevalence and risk factors for dry eye disease in the Swedish population.