Effects of long-term computer use on eye dryness

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: 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 thecontrol 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, and17.28±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 studygroup. It was observed that the evening TBUT decreased (p0.05) in the control group. The OSDI scores were 26.7±3.36 and 28.3±1.19 in the study group, and25.0±4.48 and 27.3±2.27 in the control group.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.