In 2021, the Ocular Surface Lab (OSL) commenced the ‘Eye for an Eye’ study, with a view to better understanding the natural history of dry eye disease (DED) by observing changes occurring to the ocular surface of optometry students over the course of their degree. Approved by the the University of Auckland Human Participants Ethics Committee, it is hoped the outcomes of this study will help bridge a current gap in evidence identified in the TFOS DEWS II Epidemiology report.
Each year, this study is offered as a part IV honours project, where student researchers capture data for an individual year group by conducting comprehensive ocular surface assessments on their peers, with the goal that participants return for an annual assessment. Results from the first year demonstrated 44% of the study population exhibit DED symptoms based on the TFOS DEWS II diagnostic criteria. Individual-year data allow risk factors to be explored. So far, no significant differences between genders or ethnicities for DED have been found within the study population. However, it was found that participants who wore contact lenses were significantly more likely to suffer from dry eye disease than those who did not.
The initial dataset provided some insight into the ocular surfaces of optometry students. These measurements are being repeated on participants already enrolled this year, and new part II students who will be recruited for follow up in coming years. As the dataset grows, these annual measurements will enable us to improve our understanding of the changes that occur to the ocular surface over time.
Bhavna Patel is an optometrist and professional teaching fellow at the University of Auckland’s School of Optometry and Vision Science (SOVS). She has a special interest in dry eye and is currently completing a clinical master’s degree under the supervision of Professor Jennifer Craig and Dr Phil Turnbull.
