[Digital eye strain. Functional symptoms and binocular balance analysis in intensive digital users]

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Optometry
• Digital Health

Background:

• Digital eye strain, characterized by dry eye and binocular imbalance, affects nearly 50% of individuals with acute or chronic screen exposure.
• Limited literature exists on the specific effects of screen time on visual comfort and binocular function.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the effects of screen exposure on subjective visual comfort.
• To assess the impact of screen time on binocular balance in individuals.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional, prospective pilot study involving two parts: short-term and chronic screen exposure.
• Participants were categorized into control (<5 hours/day) and exposed (>5 hours/day) groups.
• Evaluated ocular discomfort via questionnaires and binocular function through tests including refraction, phoria, accommodation, convergence, fusional vergence (FV), and binocular amplitude facility (BAF).

Main Results:

• Short-term exposure showed no significant objective parameter differences, but the exposed group reported higher discomfort (blurred vision, light sensitivity).
• Chronic exposure revealed a significant decrease in fusional vergence (FV) and binocular amplitude facility (BAF) in the exposed group compared to controls.
• Participants with chronic screen exposure (>5 hours/day) exhibited diminished binocular function.

Conclusions:

• Intensive and chronic screen use significantly disturbs binocular balance.
• Digital eye strain necessitates increased clinical attention for affected patients.
• Screen time's impact on binocular function warrants further investigation and management strategies.