Digital device use, dry eye and quality of life in youth

ABSTRACT

Purpose: Excessive screen use is a pervasive global phenomenon, recently aggravated by COVID-19-related mobility restrictions. Wide-ranging implications for health and quality of life are linked to extended screen time, the early onset of which may place young people at risk. This study evaluated screen use habits, dry eye disease markers and the associated impacts on quality of life and vision in a young cohort of extended screen users. Method(s) A total of 456 attendees of a gaming convention in Auckland, New Zealand completed a self-directed iPad-based survey on personal screen use habits, ocular symptoms and quality of life. Habitual blinking was assessed covertly using the front-facing iPad camera and proxy tear film stability measurements were conducted. Result(s) Participants (aged 24+/-10, 38% female, 11% contact lens wearers) reported a weekly average screen time of 44+/-24 hours. When compared to non-lens wearers, contact lens wearers reported a higher impact severity on daily quality of life (38% vs 29%), on vision-related quality of life (40% vs 31%) and more severe and frequent dryness symptoms (42% vs 32%;all p<0.009). Overall, 27% of respondents qualified as symptomatic for dry eye disease based on a Dry Eye Questionnaire-5 (DEQ-5) score >= 6 and proxy tear film stability values of <10 seconds. Extended screen use was associated with ocular symptomology, blink frequency and proxy tear film stability (all p<0.05). Conclusion(s) Young participants commonly report extended habitual screen use that are associated with typical symptoms and signs of dry eye disease, as well as significant impacts on quality of life. This may place youth at risk of deteriorating ocular health and comfort, underlining a pressing need for evidence to guide policy development on safe screen use, and for screening and educational interventions around screen use in routine clinical practice. Copyright © 2022