“ASSESSMENT OF VISUAL DISPLAY TERMINAL USE AS A RISK FACTOR FOR PAEDIATRIC DRY EYE DISEASE” : A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Purpose: To assess Visual Display Terminal(VDT) exposure as a risk factor for paediatric Dry Eye Disease(DED). Methodology: In this cross sectional study, children(5-15 years) from both urban and rural regions with VDT(computer,smartphone,television) exposure(1-2,3-4,>=5hours) were enrolled. Dry eye evaluation was done using Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) Questionnaire, Schirmer's without anesthesia, Fluorescein-Tear lm Break-up Time(F-TBUT) and corneal , conjunctival uorescein staining as per Tear Film and Ocular Surface Society(TFOS) Dry Eye Workshop II Guidelines 2017(DEWS II). DED diagnosis was based on OSDI grading(>=13) and objective tests(>=1 positive test). Results: 315 children exposed to VDTwere selected for the study. Burning sensation and redness were the most common symptoms. Prevalence of DED was observed to be 6.03%(19 children-38 eyes). Mean age and hours of VDT exposure was signicantly higher and hours of outdoor activity and sleep signicantly lower in DED children compared to NON DED children(p<.05). Urban elder children had highest DED prevalence rate of 13.19% .Prevalence of DED in children using VDTfor 1-2 hours was .74%,3-4 hours was 28.57%, and >=5 hours was 47.83% (p=<.001). Children with short hours of outdoor activity(<3hours) had DED prevalence of 24.62 % whereas children with longer outdoor activity(>=3 hours) showed 1.20% prevalence(p<.001). Children with less hours of sleep(<8hours) showed DED prevalence of 22.58% and those with longer hours(>=8 hours) of sleep had only 1.98% DED prevalence (p<.001). Conclusion: DED was found to be associated with elder age, longer hours of VDT exposure , short hours of outdoor activity and sleep in VDTexposed children.