A recent national Saudi study revealed a significant increase in dry eye rates within the Kingdom, confirming that intensive use of digital devices has become the most influential factor in exacerbating symptoms, especially among young people and women, making the disease one of the most prominent challenges in modern eye health.
The genetic diseases consultant at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Mariam Al Issa, stated in a statement to "Alarabiya.net" that the study was titled "Towards a Clearer Vision: Epidemiology and Clinical Symptoms Patterns of Dry Eye Disease in the Saudi Community," and it adopted a national cross-sectional approach that included 1,009 participants from various regions of the kingdom, using standard diagnostic tools and an in-depth analysis of behavioral and demographic factors associated with the disease.
Digital Use at the Forefront of Risk Factors
Al Issa indicated that the results confirmed a strong correlation between prolonged use of digital devices and the increased severity of dry eye symptoms, clearly indicating the impact of rapid digital transformations on eye health. She pointed out that symptoms related to irritation and dryness were the most prominent, reflecting the pivotal role of visual behavior changes in increasing the prevalence of the disease.
The study revealed clear differences between genders, as women recorded higher levels of irritation and dryness compared to men. The age group from 18 to 34 years was identified as the most susceptible to symptoms and affected by work and study requirements, along with prolonged screen use.
Work Environment and Its Role in Exacerbating Symptoms
The results showed that individuals working in outdoor environments suffer from more severe levels of ocular discomfort compared to those in enclosed environments. Statistical analyses also highlighted the impact of marital status, employment status, and educational level on symptom severity, reflecting the complexity of the factors influencing the disease.
The study confirmed that these results represent an important indicator for the public health sector in the kingdom, given the urgent need to adopt more visually comfortable work environments, enhance awareness of the risks of prolonged digital use, develop AI-based diagnostic mechanisms, and integrate the evaluation of eye surface health into chronic disease care programs.
A Multidisciplinary National Study
Dr. Mariam Al Issa explained that the study is an example of research integration, involving specialists from clinical ophthalmology, epidemiology, and population health, with contributions from a selection of Saudi and international researchers. She noted that this research project is aligned with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, which focuses on preventative health and improving the quality of life.
