Palabras claves: Pantallas y ojo seco, Enfermedad del ojo seco, cuestionario OSDI, lisamina, test
de Schirmer I.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Dry eye disease (DED) is an ocular pathology characterized by tear production and/or
qualitative insufficiency or inefficiency in the distribution of the tear film.
This produces pathological changes on the surface of the eye and characteristic symptoms. It is a
multifactorial pathology, with a prevalence that fluctuates between 10% and 20% of the population and in
the workplace it is associated with the time spent in front of screens and electronic devices. Given the
variety of clinical manifestations, subtypes of dry eye, decreased quality of life and, sometimes, various
ocular manifestations, it is necessary to carry out its correct diagnosis and treatment.
OBJECTIVE: Report the frequency of DED and its association with the use of electronic devices.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: Observational, cross-sectional, analytical and prospective study.
Patients between 20 and 50 years of age who attended an ophthalmological control consultation at the Reina
Fabiola University Clinic, in the period from February 2022 to July 2022, were included. The following
variables were evaluated: age, time of use of electronic devices, signs and symptoms, OSDI questionnaire
(Ocular Surface Disease Index), tear meniscus height, fluorescein staining, lysamine green staining,
precorneal rupture time (TRP), Schirmer I test (without anesthesia). Statistical analysis: the characteristics
of the patient sample were reported using descriptive statistics. To determine the frequency of EOS and the
relationship with the time of use of electronic devices a Mann Whitney test was performed. To relate the
frequency of EOS with the results of the OSDI questionnaire, Chi square was used; and to correlate the
frequency of DED with the diagnostic tests, Chi square was used for qualitative variables and Kruskal
Wallis for quantitative variables.
RESULTS: We evaluated 100 patients, with a mean age of 33.38 (SD 7.93) years.
85% (n=85) of the patients presented some sign or symptom of DED. 22% (n=22) presented EOS
determined through diagnostic tests. The mean daily use of electronic devices was 8.13 (SD 3.26) hours.
No significant differences were found between the daily hours of use of these devices with the presence or
absence of dry eye [8.10 (3.31) hours vs. 8.23 (3.13); p>0,79].
60% (n=60) were asymptomatic to OSDI. A statistically significant relationship was found between the
OSDI questionnaire and the frequency of dry eye (p<0.001).
A relationship with EOS was found in fluorescein staining (p<0.001), lysamine staining (p<0.001), TRP
(p<0.001) and Schirmer I (p<0.001). No relationship was found between EOS and the height of the tear
meniscus (p>1).
CONCLUSIONS: The use of electronic devices was not associated with EOS as studied, however it was
correlated with some of its signs and symptoms. To prevent this pathology and minimize its impacts, its
correct diagnosis, treatment and education of the population is recommended.
Keywords: Dry eye disease, OSDI questionnaire, lysamine, Schirmer's test.
Introducción
La enfermedad del ojo seco (EOS) es causada por
un grupo diverso de patologías con un
denominador común, que es la deficiencia de la
película lagrimal1. Se trata de una enfermedad
multifactorial, que provoca distintos síntomas
oculares, donde encontramos hiperosmolaridad e
inestabilidad de la lágrima, inflamación y daño
de la superficie ocular2. Es la patología de la
superficie ocular más común que se puede
observar en la consulta oftalmológica, y afecta
aproximadamente entre un 10 y un 20% de la
población adulta3. Dentro de las principales
causas etiológicas toman mayor importancia la
edad; el sexo, los factores ambientales como
viento, bajas condiciones de humedad, y distintas
condiciones laborales como el uso creciente de
pantallas y dispositivos electrónicos; distintas
cirugías con afección corneal y/o palpebral,
infecciones; enfermedades sistémicas,
medicamentos y estrés
2
. Además, son múltiples
los factores de riesgo laborales asociados a EOS,
principalmente por el uso de pantallas o también
denominado ‘síndrome visual de los
ordenadores’; algunos estudios realizados en el
ámbito laboral muestran la presencia de síntomas
como fatiga visual, irritación ocular y pesadez de
cabeza exacerbados en trabajadores con uso de
pantallas
1
. Clínicamente se manifiesta con una
amplia variedad de signos y síntomas, que van
desde síntomas leves como sensación de arenilla,
ardor e irritación ocular a alteraciones graves con