A cross-sectional study of dry eye and allergic conjunctivitis from southern India

Background: Allergic conjunctivitis is frequently linked to dry eye conditions.  This investigation aimed to evaluate the relationship between dry eye and various subsets of AC (Allergic conjunctivitis) patients. 

Material and Methods:  This observational, hospital-based cross-sectional study was carried out in the Department of Ophthalmology at a tertiary center in southern India, involving 110 patients with AC aged between 6 and 18 years.  The identification of dry eye disease (DED) was established through the utilization of the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI), Schirmer’s test, and tear film break-up time (TFBUT). 

Result: Findings indicate that the occurrence of moderate dry eye cases was most significant among AC patients, recorded at 63.63%.  In the assessment of OSDI scores, it was found that 15% of patients exhibited severe symptoms, while 25% presented with a mild grade of dry eye disease.  The TFBUT score was significantly elevated in individuals diagnosed with mixed conjunctivitis (n = 12, p <0.00001).  The results indicated a significant association between the severe Schirmer test and mixed allergic conjunctivitis (n = 4, p = 0.0168). 

Conclusion: This investigation demonstrated a significant occurrence of patients experiencing both mixed allergic conjunctivitis and dry eye disease. Among the various categories of AC patients, mixed allergic conjunctivitis showed a notably stronger correlation with dry eye when compared to the palpebral and bulbar forms.