The breastfeeding effect on the tear film of women: an observational study | [Journal of Pakistan Medical Association • 2023]

Author(s):

1. Mana Alafri Alanazi: Department of Optometry, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

2. Gamal Abdel-Rahman El-Hiti: Department of Optometry, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

3. Amjad Ali Alshamrani: Department of Optometry, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

4. Mashaaer Abdulwahhab Baashen: Department of Optometry, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

5. Raied Fagehi: Department of Optometry, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

6. Ali Mohammed Masmali: Department of Optometry, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Abstract:

Objective: To assess the tear lfim parameters in breastfeeding women. Method: The observational study was conducted at the College of Applied Medical Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from December 15, 2021, to February 12, 2022, and comprised healthy women aged 18-40 years who had no ocular diseases. Breastfeeding women were in group A and non-breastfeeding women formed the control group B. Ocular surface disease index, phenol red thread, and tear ferning tests were used in that order to assess the tear lfim for all the subjects. A gap of 5 minutes was allowed between phenol red thread and tear ferning tests. Data was analysed using SPSS, version 22. Results: Of the 50 subjects, 25(50%) were in group A with mean age 30.4±5.9 years having a mean breastfeeding period of 5.4±5.0 months. The remaining 25(50%) women were in group B with mean age 28.5±2.1 years. Signicfiant differences were found between the groups for ocular surface disease index, phenol red thread, and tear ferning (p<0.05). Signicfiant moderate correlation was found between tear ferning grades and breastfeeding duration (p<0.05). Conclusion: Breastfeeding was found to increase dry eye symptoms in women.

Page(s): 2200-2204

DOI: 10.47391/JPMA.8049

Published: Journal: Journal of Pakistan Medical Association, Volume: 73, Issue: 11, Year: 2023

Keywords:

Breastfeeding , Risk factor , Dry eye , Tear film , Tear ferning test

References:

References are not available for this document.

Citations

Citations are not available for this document.

Citations

Downloads

Views