Effects of long-term computer use on eye dryness

Abstract

INTRODUCTION[|]To evaluate the effects of long-term computer use on tear production and evaporation.[¤]METHODS[|]In this study, 30 eyes of 30 people using computer for 8 hours a day were taken as the study group. In the control group, 30 eyes of 30 healthy individuals who did not spend 1 hour using computer on a daily basis were evaluated. The cases were examined at 8 am and 5 pm. The Schirmer test, tear break-up time (TBUT), and ocular surface disease index (OSDI) were evaluated.[¤]RESULTS[|]There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of age and gender. The Schirmer test results, which measure the parameters of tear production, were 16.80+-2.04 and 15.50+-2.06 mm (p>0.05) in the study group, and 17.28+-1.52 and 17.16+-2.53 in the control group. The TBUT measurements were 9.15+-2.93 and 6.80+-1.11 sec in the study group. It was observed that the evening TBUT decreased (p<0.05). The TBUT measurements were 15.80+-3.15 sec and 15.20+-1.92 sec (p>0.05) in the control group. The OSDI scores were 26.7+-3.36 and 28.3+-1.19 in the study group, and 25.0+-4.48 and 27.3+-2.27 in the control group.[¤]DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION[|]As a result, it was found that a long-term computer use did not change the Schirmer test results significantly, but there were statistically significant changes in the tear break-up time (TBUT) results of the evaporative type eye dryness. According the our study results, long-term computer usage may cause an evaporative-type dry eye disease.[¤]

Keywords

• dry eye disease
• schirmer test; tbut; use of computer.