The Assessment of Dry Eye Syndrome in Relation to the Use of Contact Lenses in the Jazan Region of Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background Contact lenses (CL) are frequently used among the population. Various symptoms, including dryness, impaired vision, foreign body sensation, and eye strain, were reported by patients with contact lens-associated dry eye (CLADE) disease. The purpose of this study is to estimate the prevalence and severity of dry eye symptoms among contact lens users, as well as non-contact lens users, and the related variables. Methods This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among contact lens users, as well as non-contact lens users. The questionnaire was adopted from the literature and translated into Arabic. General and demographic data were collected, and questions about hygiene behaviors, the Contact Lens Dry Eye Questionnaire-8 (CLDEQ-8), and the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) were answered. IBM SPSS version 27.0.1 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY) was used for data analysis. Results This study involved 367 participants, predominantly women (318, 86.6%) with an average age of 31.0 years. One hundred eighty-one (49.3%) used contact lenses, primarily on a monthly basis. One hundred forty-six (80.7%) of contact lens users reported good hygiene practices. Dry eye symptoms varied in severity, with 139 (37.6%) of the participants experiencing severe dry eye, while many reported symptoms as infrequent or mild. Statistical analysis revealed no significant association between contact lens use and dry eye severity (p = 0.416), but 99 (54.7%) of the participants reported contact lens-associated dry eye (CLADE). Sociodemographic factors showed no significant correlation with contact lens discomfort (CLD) prevalence; however, poor hygiene practices were significantly associated with higher CLD rates (100% versus 52.1%, p = 0.014). Conclusion The study found that dry eye symptoms were prevalent among all participants (139, 37.6%) but not necessarily linked to contact lens use. The data indicate that, while many users maintain proper hygiene, a significant number nevertheless have varied degrees of dry eye symptoms, necessitating more inquiry into the mechanisms leading to these concerns. A future study using clinical diagnosis with a tear film breakage test is recommended as a more reliable technique for diagnosing dry eye syndrome (DES).