The association between personality traits and dry eye disease: A cross-sectional study

PURPOSE: Dry eye disease (DED) is a growing public health concern that causes significant visual disability and interferes with the quality of life. The aim of the study is to analyze the relationship between personality traits and DED symptoms in the eastern region of Saudi Arabia. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia in 2018. A total of 613 subjects participated in this study. Ocular surface disease index was first distributed online to assess the subjective symptoms of DED. Then, persons with DED were selectively chosen to be tested by the Big Personality Trait Inventory questionnaire. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA test at a level of significance, P < 0.05. RESULTS: 57.7% of the patients reported symptoms of DED. There was a significant positive correlation between DED and neuroticism personality trait. DED severity was found to be significantly correlated in persons with chronic diseases. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that psychological problems have an impact on DEDs in a way that needed to be studied.