CHARACTERISTICS OF DRY EYE SYNDROME AMONG TOURISTS ENGAGING IN WATER SPORTS AT BEACH TOURISM DESTINATIONS

Abstract

Dry Eye Syndrome (DES) is a common ocular disorder that can be triggered by various factors, including sociodemographic characteristics, extreme environmental conditions, and exposure to seawater during water sports activities. This study aimed to identify the characteristics of DES among tourists engaging in water sports at beach tourism destinations based on sex, age, location, duration and type of activity, ultraviolet (UV) index, environmental temperature, and use of eye protection. This study employed a prospective observational descriptive analytic design and involved 65 tourists. Data were collected using an initial research questionnaire and the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI). The results showed that most respondents were classified as normal (76.9%), followed by mild (20%) and moderate (3.1%) DES, with no severe cases identified. Females demonstrated a higher proportion of DES compared to males, and respondents aged ≥30 years showed a greater tendency toward DES than those aged <30 years. Longer activity duration (≥60 minutes), participation at watersport facilities, primary water sports, UV index ≥5, higher environmental temperature, and absence of eye protection were associated with an increased risk of DES, although these associations were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Furthermore, the incidence of DES increased proportionally with the accumulation of risk factors, with a statistically significant association between the number of concurrent risk factors and DES occurrence (p = 0.011), highlighting the multifactorial nature of DES.