Frequency of dry eye and its association with the use ofelectronic devices

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.