Extended screen time and dry eye in youth

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Public Health
• Digital Health

Background:

• Extended screen time is a global issue affecting youth health and quality of life.
• Dry eye disease is increasingly prevalent in pediatric populations, linked to altered blinking during screen use.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate spontaneous blink rates, dry eye symptoms, and screen habits in young, heavy screen users.
• To investigate the relationship between screen time, blinking behavior, and ocular surface health.

Main Methods:

• 456 gaming convention attendees completed surveys on screen habits and dry eye symptoms (DEQ-5, SANDE).
• Blink rates were covertly recorded via iPad camera and analyzed by software.
• A blink test served as a proxy for tear film stability.

Main Results:

• Average weekly screen time was 43.7 hours; 90% of respondents had dry eye symptoms (DEQ-5 ≥ 6).
• 24% showed tear film stability < 10 seconds.
• Increased screen use correlated with worse symptoms, higher blink rates, and reduced tear film stability (p < 0.01).

Conclusions:

• Extended screen time in youth is linked to blinking patterns and symptoms indicative of dry eye disease.
• Routine screening, education, and safe screen use guidelines are crucial for preventing ocular surface damage and maintaining quality of life in young individuals.