デジタルデバイス使用者と非使用者における涙液層安定性とマイボーム腺機能の比較評価
Preetha Balaji1, P K Bhavya1, K Sruthy1
1Department of Optometry, Ahalia School of Optometry and Research Centre, Palakkad, Kerala, India.
Background:
Prolonged digital device use is increasingly linked to ocular surface disorders, yet objective comparisons of tear film stability and meibomian gland function between users and nonusers remain limited.
Materials And Methods:
A cross-sectional study enrolled 120 participants (60 digital device users: ≥4 hours/day; 60 nonusers: <1 hour/day). Tear breakup time (TBUT), Schirmer's test, meibomian gland expression (MGE) scoring, and meibography were performed. Data were analyzed using independent t-tests and Chi-square tests (significance: P <0.05).
Results:
Digital device users exhibited significantly lower TBUT (5.2 ± 1.8 vs. 8.5 ± 2.1 seconds, P < 0.001), reduced Schirmer's test results (10.3 ± 4.2 vs. 15.7 ± 5.1 mm, P < 0.001), higher MGE scores (5.8 ± 2.4 vs. 2.1 ± 1.5, P < 0.001), and greater meibomian gland dropout (2.1 ± 0.8 vs. 0.9 ± 0.6, P < 0.001). Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) prevalence was 68.3% in users versus 25.0% in nonusers (P < 0.001).
Conclusion:
Digital device use is associated with impaired tear film stability and meibomian gland function, indicating a higher risk of evaporative dry eye.
