Posters

Dry eye in visual display terminal users

Poster Details

First Author: A.Yazici TURKEY

Co Author(s):    E. Sogutlu Sari   G. Sahin   M. Yuceur   A. Kilic   S. Ermis  

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To investigate the tear parameters and frequency of dry eye in visual display terminal (VDT) users

Setting:

Department of Ophthalmology, Balıkesir University Faculty of Medicine, Balıkesir, Turkey.

Methods:

The study included 42 eyes of 21 office staff that vocationally uses VDT (computer, smart phone or tablet screen). Exclusion criteria applicable to all participants were the use of glasses with antireflective surface or contact lens, presence of ocular or systemic disease, ocular surgery and diagnosis of dry eye, use of local eye medications, use of systemic medications (steroid, oral contraceptive, anti-histaminic, anti-inflammatory, anti-psychotic, anti-depressant agents). Age, gender, the duration of the VDT use was noted. All subjects underwent complete ophthalmologic examination including visual acuity assessment, intraocular pressure measurements, and slit lamp biomicroscopy. All participants were examined for ocular surface disease index (OSDI) score, tear osmolarity, Schirmer test, tear break up time (TBUT), and Oxford ocular surface staining score to evaluate the frequency of dry eye disease.

Results:

The mean age of VDT users was 32.0±6.4years. Mean reported VDT use was 7.8±3.3 hours per day. 28.6% of the participants were male and 71.4% of them were female. If cut-off values for dry eye diagnosis were set as; for Schirmer's test <10 mm, for TBUT<10 seconds, OSDI≥23 and osmolarity>316 mosm/l the prevalence of dry eye was 14.3%, 4.8%, 42.9% and 33.3% respectively. Oxford ocular surface staining score was grade 0 in all of patients.

Conclusions:

Dry eye is one of the most common ophthalmological problems and highly encountered in ophthalmology practice. Prevalence studies suggest that the frequency ranges from 11-17% in general population to 29% in ophthalmology clinics. Nowadays; using computer, smart phone and tablets is a crucial part of our life and gives rise to dry eye disease and decrease the quality of life. As a diagnostic test for dry eye; OSDI score is an important factor because of representing the effect of dry eye on the quality of life as a subjective method. Therefore, it is critical to understand the magnitude of VDT related dry eye, as the concerned group involves the working age population that may have social and economic impact. We investigated the frequency of dry eye less than the other tests by using TBUT because the average age of participants is low and TBUT is inversely proportional to the elderly. Schirmer's test is a frequently used method in our daily clinical practice but in recent studies, it is established as a less reliable test. The tear osmolarity is safely used to evaluate the ocular surface inflammation as a diagnostic procedure for the diagnosis of dry eye disease with high specificity and sensitivity. The tear osmolarity is accepted as a gold standard method at the diagnosis for dry eye disease by International Dry Eye Work Shop-DEWS. In this study; we tried to edit a control group who don't use VDT during the day, but we couldn't find enough participant. That shows the role of computers, tablets and smart phones in our lives clearly. We have no relevant financial or nonfinancial relationships to disclose. FINANCIAL INTEREST: NONE