Ocular surface predisposing factors for digital display-induced dry eye.

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Digital Health
• Ocular Surface Disease

Background:

• Digital display use is a known risk factor for dry eye disease.
• Understanding specific ocular parameters affected by computer use is crucial for managing digital eye strain.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify ocular surface parameters that contribute to the adverse effects of computer use on dry eye.
• To investigate the relationship between baseline ocular measurements and changes in dry eye symptoms after computer use.

Main Methods:

• Assessed 82 undergraduate students' ocular surface parameters before and after 30 minutes of computer reading.
• Utilized questionnaires (OSDI, DEQ-5), tear meniscus height, non-invasive keratograph break-up time (NIKBUT), conjunctival redness, and blink analysis.
• Employed regression models to analyze associations between baseline parameters and post-task changes.

Main Results:

• Computer use increased dry eye symptoms, tear meniscus height, and conjunctival redness, while decreasing NIKBUT.
• Baseline Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) and Dry Eye Questionnaire-5 (DEQ-5) scores correlated with increased symptom severity.
• Pre-task NIKBUT and conjunctival redness changes were associated with NIKBUT changes; higher baseline NIKBUT predicted reduced tear stability.

Conclusions:

• Individuals with higher baseline dry eye symptoms experience greater symptom increase with computer use.
• Reduced tear stability is more likely in those with longer NIKBUT and increased conjunctival redness.
• Baseline ocular parameters like OSDI and NIKBUT can predict the impact of computer use on dry eye.