Abstract
Purpose
Extended screen time amongst youth is a pervasive global phenomenon, with wide-ranging
implications for health and quality of life. Dry eye disease is increasingly reported
as emerging in paediatric populations and is associated with modified blinking behaviour
during extended screen time. This study sought to evaluate spontaneous blink rates,
dry eye symptomology and screen use habits of young extended screen time users.
Methods
Attendees of a gaming convention in Auckland, NZ, completed a self-directed iPad-based
survey on personal screen use habits and ocular symptoms using the 5-item Dry Eye
Questionnaire (DEQ-5) and the Symptom Assessment in Dry Eye (SANDE) questionnaire.
Blink rate was covertly and concomitantly recorded using the front-facing iPad camera
and quantified by automated software. A validated, self-assessment blink test was
administered as a proxy for tear film stability measurements.
Results
A total of 456 respondents (mean age ± SD: 24 ± 10 years, range: 13 – 75, 38% female)
reported an average weekly screen time of 43.7 ± 24.4 h. DEQ-5 and SANDE scores were
10 ± 3 and 34 ± 19; 90% of respondents qualified as symptomatic for dry eye disease
(DEQ-5 ≥ 6). Blink test results suggested a tear film stability < 10 s in 24% of cases.
Poorer symptomology correlated with increased screen use, elevated blink rates and
reduced proxy tear film stability (r = 0.15 to 0.22, all p < 0.01).
Conclusion
Extended screen time in a young population was associated with blinking behaviour
and symptomology consistent with patients with dry eye. Implementing routine clinical
screening, educational interventions, and developing official guidance on safe screen
use may help prevent an accelerated degradation of ocular surface health and quality
of life in young people.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: November 25, 2021
Accepted:
November 9,
2021
Received in revised form:
October 18,
2021
Received:
July 29,
2021
Identification
Copyright
© 2021 British Contact Lens Association. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
