Prevalence and severity of symptomatic dry eyes in Hispanics

Purpose. Past studies have not addressed the prevalence of dry eyes in the growing US Hispanic population. 463 Hispanic patients were screened in an optometric practice located in Southern California. Methods. A single symptom variable of self-assessed ocular dryness was used to categorize patients. Results. Of the patients 43.6% had some symptoms of dryness. Twenty-five percent had clinically relevant (mild, moderate or severe) scores that may merit treatment. The findings were 16.4% classified as mild (dryness score 2), 6.2% were moderate (dryness score 3) and 2.3% were severe (dryness score 4). Age was a significant predictor of dryness level. As age increased, severity of dryness increased (p < .001). The mean age for None or Trace were significantly lower than for Mild and Moderate (p < .05). Gender was not a useful as a second predictor of self-reported dryness. Conclusion. Southern Californian Hispanics seen in a optometric practice have a higher prevalence for dry eye symptoms than most other previously studied ethnic populations not selective for age.