Abstract
Background: Dry eye disease encompasses a vital problem among medical students due to their daily computer use. This study aimed to explore the connection between DED and depression amongst medical students of Umm Al-Qura University. Methods: An online cross-sectional investigation was distributed among health-related colleges at Umm Al-Qura University. A PHQ-9 and DEQ-5 questionnaires were used to screen for depression and dry eye syndrome. The final data were subjected to an appropriate statistical analysis program. Results: 522 completed the survey. Male students were predominant. The total prevalence of depression was 44.06%, while about 30.08% suffered from dry eye syndrome. A significant difference was found among senior students, in which they correspond significantly with minimal depression (P-value, 0.000) and positive dry eye syndrome (P-value, 0.005). Conclusion: Among medical students, DED symptoms were seen relatively commonly. DES students should have an annual depression screening in primary care and ophthalmology clinics as a preventative step to enhance life quality and preserve psychological wellbeing.