Abstract: Objective: To investigate the clinical manifestations and distribution characteristics of dry eye patients with ocular discomfort symptoms in Jilin Province, and to analyze the relationship between the risk factors associated with dry eye and its severity.Methods: The secondary or tertiary hospitals in Jilin Province were randomly selected and used as screening bases from July 2014 to August 2015. 1 173 people initiative to the hospital for eye examinations after publicity were selected. Questionnaire was used to collect the subjective symptoms of dry eye. The breakup time(BUT) of tear film, corneal fluorescein staining, meibomian gland and tear secretion were examined and the detection rate and risk factors of dry eye of the dry eye patients with different clinical characteristics were analyzed.Results: A total of 1 122 people was actually surveyed, 896 individuals were diagnosed as dry eye, and the prevalence rate was 79.8%. The prevalence rate of the females was higher than of the males(χ²=4.070,P<0.05).The prevalence of dry eye between different ages was statistically significant(χ²=61.547,P<0.05).The multivariate Logistic regression analysis results showed that the age ≥ 40 years (40-49years,OR=6.313,95% CI:3.498-11.393; 50-59 years,OR=6.919,95% CI:3.876-12.351; 60-69 years,OR=5.175,95% CI:2.650-10.104; over 70 years,OR=9.508,95% CI:3.608-25.061), moderate grade of meibomian gland dysfunction(MGD) (OR=2.123,95% CI:1.186-3.803), and the patients with rheumatoid arthritis (OR=2.186,95% CI:1.098-4.353) and eye surgery (OR=3.692,95% CI:1.204-11.323) were the risk factors for dry eye. While the occupation of farmer was a protective factor for dry eye (OR=0.351, 95% CI:0.135-0.917).Conclusion: Age, occupation, MGD grade, rheumatoid arthritis and eye surgery history affect the occurrence of dry eye to a certain extent. So enough attention and appropriate health guidance should be given to reduce the incidence of dry eye.

Key words: prevalence, dry eye, epidemiological investigation, risk factors