Table 6 prevalence of DED from different studies around the world

This study/ Palestine

769

69%

One or more symptoms often or all most thetime, accompanied by at least one sign (TBUT, Schirmer test and FL/S of the cornea)

18–90

Jordan

1039

59%

Symptoms only using OSDI questionnaire, a score of 20 or above considered symptomatic DED.

≥18

Bakkar et al. (2016) [3].

Saudi Arabia (Jeddah)

251

93.2%

One or more symptom often or all most time, accompanied by at least one signs (TBUT, Schirmer test and FL/S of the cornea

7–78

Bukhari et al. (2009) [33].

Saudi Arabia (Al-Ahsa)

1858

32.1%

6-item questionnaire. DED is determined by presence of one or more of the six DES symptoms often or constantly.

16–78

Alshamrani et al. (2017) [34].

Iran, Shahroud

1008

8.7%

Symptoms using OSDI questionnaire and presence of at least one of objective signs (Schirmer test, TBUT, fluorescein and rose Bengal staining).

40–64

Hashemi et al. (2014) [4].

United States/female population only

39,876

7.8%

in the presence of either a prior clinical diagnosis of DES or intense symptoms (both irritation and dryness whether many times or all the times)

45–84

Schaumberg et al.(2003) [41].

United States/ Hispanic population

463

43.6%

One simple question about symptomatic dryness was asked.

“How often do you have dryness?” The answers were forced choice: never, seldom, sometimes, frequently, or always.

4–85

Hom et al. (2005) [42].

USA, Wisconsin

3722

14.4%

Self-recorded history of DED through the previous 3 months

48–91

Moss et al. (2000) [6].

USA, Maryland

2420

14.6%

One or more dry eye symptoms often or all the time (six items) Meibomian glands assessment, rose Bengal, Schirmer’s test.

65–84

Schein et al. (1997) [43].

Indonesia/Sumatra

1058

27.5%

One or more symptoms many times or all the time using a six item validated questionnaire.

≥21

Lee et al. (2002) [5].

Japan/Tokyo

598

33%

Self-administered Questionnaire

20–49

Shimmura et al. (1999) [44].

Japan

113 (Left eye only)

73.5%

Japanese diagnostic criteria of dry eye (Schirmer test, TBUT, FL/S of the cornea)

≥ 60

Uchino et al. (2006) [45].

Australia

1174

57.5%

Dry eye questionnaire

≥50

Chia et al. (2003) [46].

Australia

1584

10.8%

McMonnies dry eye questionnaire, TBUT and Rose Bengal ocular surface staining

3–96

Albietz et al. (2000) [47].

Australia/Melbourne

926

16.3% by (Schirmer’s) 8.6% by (TBUT) 1.5% by (FL/S) 10.8% by (rose Bengal) 5.5% with any sever symptom

Objective assessment Schirmers< 8, TBUT <8, FL/S, rose bengal> 3 and intense symptoms (3 on a scale of 0 to 3)

40–97

McCarty et al. (1998) [48]

Taiwan, Taipei

1361

33.7%

Reporting one or more dry eye symptoms often or all of the time.

≥ 65

Lin et al. (2003) [49].

Thailand, Bangkok

550

34%

One symptom or more many times or most of the time, TBUT, Schirmer’s test, FL/S, assessment of Meibomian gland

40–78

Lekhanont et al. (2006) [50].