ASSOCIATION BETWEEN DAILY SCREEN TIME AND DRY EYE DISEASE AMONG ADOLESCENTS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Background: Dry eye disease is a multifactorial ocular surface disorder characterized by tear film instability and inflammation. Rising digital device use among adolescents has increased concerns about its adverse effects on ocular surface health. Aim: To determine the association between screen time and dry eye disease among adolescents aged 14–19 years. Methods: This cross-sectional analytical study included 372 adolescents attending the ophthalmology outpatient department of a tertiary care hospital over 18 months. Daily screen time, device type, and spectacle use were recorded. Dry eye was assessed using the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire and Schirmer's I test. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 29, with p < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: The mean age of participants was 16.41 ± 1.89 years, with females comprising 52.96%. Average daily screen time was 4.36 ± 2.81 hours. Dry eye prevalence was 5.4% using OSDI and 3.8% using Schirmer's test. Increasing screen time was significantly associated with dry eye by both assessments (p < 0.001), and affected participants had significantly higher screen exposure. Older adolescents (17–19 years) demonstrated a higher prevalence than younger participants (p < 0.01). Laptop users showed greater dry eye prevalence than mobile phone or television users, whereas spectacle use was not significantly associated. Conclusion: Prolonged screen exposure is significantly associated with dry eye disease in adolescents, especially older individuals and laptop users. Early detection, reduced screen time, and preventive measures may help minimize digital eye strain and ocular surface damage.