Abstract
Objective: To assess the frequency of presence of dry eyes and its associated risk factors among employees working in call centres and software houses in Karachi.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was done during July to October 2014 at Hamdard College of Medicine and Dentistry, Karachi. By convenient sampling technique, data was collected from employees aged 20 to 40 years of call centres and software houses. Demographic information was recorded on pre-designed questionnaire and Schirmer's test strips were used to measure production of tears. Descriptive analysis was done for categorical variables using SPSS version 20. Cross-tabulation of different variables was done with dryness of eyes experienced. The frequency of various eye complaints was determined and Chi square test was used to observe the association with Schirmer's test. P-value<0.05 was considered as significant.
Results: Out of 150 employees 42 (28%) were found to have dry eyes. Mean age was 27 +/- 3.5 years. The majority of employees 117 (78%) were males and 77 (51.3%) were using corrective spectacles for refractive errors. The most common eye complaints among the computer users were burning of eyes (44%), redness of eye (41.3%), dryness of nose (36%), dryness of mouth (34.7%), discharge from eye (10.7%) and foreign body sensation (10%). Statistically significant (p<0.05) relationship has been observed between presence of eye burning and positive Schirmer's test.
Conclusion: This study indicated that 28% of the individuals had dry eye, along with other symptoms of eyes among computer users in call centres and software houses.