Objective:

To determine the prevalence of dry eye symptoms (DES) and associated risk factors among adults in Tlaxcala, Mexico.

Materials and methods:

A cross-sectional population-based study that included 1 508 individuals aged ≥50 years who answered the Dry Eye Questionnaire (DEQ-5), with a score ranging between 0 and 22; the following categories were defined: no DES (<6); mild-moderate DES (6 to 11) and severe DES (≥12).

Results:

The prevalence of DES was 41.1% (95%CI 38.6-43.6), and was higher in women (OR=2.26, 95%IC 1.70-3.00), in individuals with smoking index of <10 (OR=1.40, 95%CI 1.05-1.87) and ≥10 pack-years (OR=2.29, 95%CI 1.44-3.63), subjects with history of ever consuming alcohol (OR=1.31, 95%CI 1.02-1.70), and those receiving antihypertensive treatment (OR=1.29, 95%CI 1.00-1.65).

Conclusion:

Dry eye symptoms were highly prevalent in the study population and were associated with sex, smoking, alcohol consumption, and antihypertensive medications.