Tear film change and ocular symptoms after reading printed book and electronic book: a crossover study
Pinnita Prabhasawat1, Warinyupa Pinitpuwadol2, Dawisa Angsriprasert2
1Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, 2 Wanglang Road, Bangkoknoi, Bangkok, 10700, Thailand. pinnita.pra@mahidol.edu.
Purpose:
To evaluate and compare tear film changes and ocular symptoms after reading an electronic book (e-book) and a printed book.
Study Design:
Clinical and experimental.
Methods:
Crossover study was conducted in 30 healthy volunteers, some of whom read an e-book and others a printed book for 20 minutes and then switched the following week. Tear meniscus height (TMH), non-invasive break-up time (NIBUT), fluorescein break up time (FBUT), corneal and conjunctival staining score, and questionnaires about seven ocular symptoms were evaluated before and after reading by both reading methods.
Results:
After reading an e-book, FBUT and NIBUT were significantly decreased (p<0.001for both). Similar to printed book readers (p=0.006, p=0.04, respectively). TMH and corneal and conjunctival staining score showed no significant differences in either group. Comparing the two groups, the e-book group showed more decrease in TMH, FBUT, and NIBUT (p>0.05). Ocular symptoms were significantly increased in both groups. The e-book group showed more increase in all symptoms, but only tearing (p=0.03) and burning sensation (p=0.02) were significantly different.
Conclusions:
Reading an e-book affected tear film instability and significantly increased burning sensation and tearing to a larger extend than reading a printed book.
Related Concept Videos
Crossover Experiments
Crossover designs are performed even with smaller sample sizes since the samples can act as their controls. These are better than simple randomized trials since patients are exposed to all the treatments.
Uncertainty in Measurement: Reading Instruments
Electron Affinity
Diabetes: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Complications
Negative and Cognitive Symptoms of Schizophrenia
Negative Symptoms
Negative symptoms of schizophrenia manifest as deficits in normal emotional and behavioral functioning, profoundly impacting daily life. Individuals with schizophrenia often display a flat affect, characterized by a near-total absence of emotional expression,...
Global Climate Change


