Original Article

Evaluation of the Impact of Computer Use on Dry Eye Parameters - Original Article

  • Koray Gümüş
  • Hatice Arda
  • Ayşe Öztürk Öner
  • Sarper Karaküçük
  • Ertuğrul Mirza

Turk J Ophthalmol 2009;39(4):244-249

Purpose:

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of computer usage on dry eye parameters.

Material and Methods:

Fourteen secretaries and six data processing employee (5 male, 15 female) who use computer throughout a day at work were enrolled in this study. All participants underwent an ophthalmic examination at the beginning and the end of the day. After completing the ocular surface disease index (OSDI) questionnaire, all were asked to fill out the survey which include clinic and demographic data. Schirmer tests with and without anesthesia, measurement of tear film break up time (TFBT), and staging of corneal fluorescein staining were carried out after ocular symptoms were staged by the participants at each examination.

Results:

The mean age of all participants was 23.7 ± 2.5 years. The mean OSDI scores were 46.7 ± 14.9. TFBT was found to be lower, corneal fluorescein staining scores were found to be higher at the end of the day compared with the beginning of the day (p<0.001). Schirmer tests were comparable. Burning sensation, a feeling of having sand, photophobia, blurred vision and eye-strain were found to be significantly greater at the end of the day (p<0.05).

Discussion:

With the development of technological improvements, the incidence of computer usage at works; the findings and the symptoms of dry eye are both getting higher. Therefore, it is so important to take all necessary measures in order to increase the TFBT values for better ocular morbidity.

Keywords: Dry eye, Cornea, Computer use