# Prevalence and influencing factors of dry eye syndrome among pilots: A survey study

## TL;DR

This study finds that most pilots suffer from dry eye syndrome, with factors like poor sleep and fatigue increasing the risk.

## Contribution

The study identifies specific risk factors for dry eye syndrome among pilots using a large sample and multivariate analysis.

## Key findings

- All 794 pilots had dry eye syndrome, with 88.40% experiencing moderate and 11.60% severe cases.
- Factors like eyelid diseases, poor sleep, and fatigue were positively linked to higher dry eye scores.
- Southern region residence and physical activity were negatively correlated with dry eye severity.

## Abstract

Dry eye syndrome (DES) is a prevalent ocular condition that significantly impacts affected individuals’ quality of life and occupational performance. This study investigates the prevalence and contributing factors of DES among pilots, which is a group particularly susceptible to environmental and occupational stressors.

A descriptive, observational study was conducted, which involved 794 pilots. Based on the severity of DES, these pilots were assigned into mild, moderate and severe groups. Data was collected through surveys, and analyzed using multiple linear regression, in order to determine the relationship between the DES scores and potential influencing factors.

The study revealed that all pilots included in the present study were affected by DES, in which 88.40% of pilots experienced moderate DES and 11.60% of pilots reported severe DES. After adjusting for other covariates in the model, the multivariate analysis revealed that eyelid diseases, ocular surface disease, poor sleep quality, and fatigue were statistically significant and positively correlated to higher DES scores (p < 0.05), while residing in the southern region and engaging in physical activities were statistically significant and negatively correlated to the DES scores (p < 0.05).

The high prevalence of DES in pilots highlights the urgent need for tailored occupational health interventions. Strategies to mitigate DES risk should include promoting regular physical exercise, improving sleep quality, and addressing fatigue. Future research should prioritize longitudinal studies to establish causal relationships and develop targeted management approaches for this high-risk occupational group.