Posters

Correlation of epithelial thickness measurements to ocular surface parameters in subjects with prolonged computer use

Poster Details

First Author: A.Tzamalis GREECE

Co Author(s):    A. Diafas   V. Chatzistergiou   I. Oustoglou   I. Tsinopoulos   N. Ziakas        

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To evaluate the relationship between ocular surface/tear film parameters and epithelial thickness measurements in subjects with prolonged use of computer screens.

Setting:

2nd Department of Ophthalmology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Papageorgiou General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.

Methods:

95 subjects with a reported history of prolonged computer use (≥8 hours per day) were enrolled in a prospective cross-sectional study. Patients’ medical and ophthalmic history were recorded and a thorough ophthalmic examination, including near and distance best-corrected visual acuity measurement (BCVA), was performed. All subjects completed the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire designed to evaluate symptoms of dry eye disease (DED). Epithelial thickness mapping was acquired for each subject by means of optical coherence tomography (Avanti, Optovue). Additionally, tear break-up time (TBUT) and Schirmer test I (with closed eyes for 2 minutes) were recorded.

Results:

TBUT was measured 7.6±3.1 seconds, while Schirmer-test yielded a mean of 12.56 ±8.5 mm without any significant differences between right and left eyes (p=0.87 and p=0.63, respectively). Central epithelial thickness was found to be significantly correlated to the reported difficulty while watching TV (r=-0.303, p=0.01) and irritation in windy weather conditions (r=-0.394, p=0.01). However, no significant association was noted between corneal epithelial thickness and TBUT, Schirmer test, BCVA or total OSDI score (p>0.05).OSDI score was significantly correlated to the reported hours spent in front of computer screens (p=0.007) and TBUT (p=0.01) but not with Schirmer test results (p=0.81).

Conclusions:

Prolonged computer use may be correlated with reduced TBUT and produce ocular surface symptoms affecting the patients’ quality of life. Epithelial thickness measurements are found to be associated with some ocular symptoms but not directly to the signs of dry eye disease.

Financial Disclosure:

None