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Change of dry eye parameters, tear meniscus and epithelial thickness in long-term computer users in short term weekday period

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First Author: E.Vural TURKEY

Co Author(s):    L. Hazar                    

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To investigate the changes in dry eye parameters and epithelial thickness in the short term period (weekday period) in long-term computer users

Setting:

Health Science Hospital, Kayseri City Training and Research Hospital, Department of Ophthalmology, Kayseri, Turkey

Methods:

Forthy six eyes of 23 patients with dry eye symptoms who used a computer for at least 6 hours a day were included in the study. Patients with ocular surface disease, previous medical treatment for dry eye, and any systemic disease were not included. Schirmer test, tear break-up time (TBUT), ocular surface disease index (OSDI) score, epithelial thickness and tear meniscus levels (by spectralis optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) ) were recorded. All measurements of the patients were repeated on Monday morning before starting work (1st visit) and on Friday the same week after work (2nd visit) without medication.

Results:

The average age of the patients was 29.17 ± 4.24 years. The mean TBUT values were 12.41 ± 2.68, 9.69 ± 2.39 seconds ; Schirmer test values were 20 ± 5.47, 11.89 ± 3.62 mm (p<0.001); tear meniscus levels were 158.65 ± 41.18, 118.15 ± 31.99 µm (p<0.001); OSDI scores were 12.13 ± 4.89, 18 ± 5.50 (p <0.001); central corneal epithelium thicknesses were 33.5 ± 5.81, 33.19 ± 6.10 µm (p<0.001) , at 1st and 2nd visit, respectively. There was no significant difference between 2 visits in terms of central corneal epithelial thickness (p = 0.703).

Conclusions:

While changes in OSDI score, TBUT, schirmer and tear meniscus levels are observed in long-term computer users in the short-term weekday period, there is no short-term effect on central corneal epithelial thickness.

Financial Disclosure:

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