Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Objectives: This study aimed to determine the prevalence and severity of DES among students of Herat University and to identify demographic, behavioral, and environmental factors associated with its occurrence. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from March to July 2025 among 403 students selected through simple random sampling from sixteen faculties of Herat University. Data were collected using a structured, self-administered questionnaire adapted from the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) and the Dry Eye Questionnaire-5 (DEQ-5). Descriptive statistics were used to summarize findings, and chi-square tests assessed associations between DES severity and potential risk factors. A p-value <0.05 was considered observed statistically significant. Results: Among participants, 209 (51.9%) were classified as normal, 65 (16.1%) had mild dry eye, 88 (21.8%) had moderate dry eye, and 41 (10.2%) had severe dry eye, indicating that nearly half of the sample (48.1%) experienced some degree of dry eye symptoms. Significant associations were found between DES severity and year of study (p = 0.040) as well as use of corrective glasses (p < 0.001). Conclusion: DES is highly prevalent among students of Herat University, with the majority experiencing moderate to severe symptoms. Advanced academic level and use of corrective glasses were key associated factors. These findings highlight the need for preventive strategies, ocular health education, and early screening programs within university settings to reduce the burden of dry eye symptoms and improve students’ visual well-being.
Institutions: Herat University, Jami University
Language: English
Subfield: Ophthalmology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7128713262