Correlation Between Dry Eye and Screen Viewing Time Among Young Adult

Abstract

Screen use especially computers, phone and other visual display devices are now an essential part of our daily life. With the increased use, a large population is experiencing ocular symptoms globally such as dry eyes, eye strain, irritation and redness of the eyes. This study determined the correlation between dry eye and screen viewing time among young adult in Madonna university teaching hospital. This is an observational cross-sectional study with 100subjects. 50(50%) male and 50 (50%) female within the ages of 18-32years. A total of 100 questionnaire were collected, quantitative approach was used to determine dry eye using schimer’s strip and the data were analyzed using Pearson chi-square. The study discovered the percentage of age group of the participant which 53(53%) fell within 23-27 years with 28(28.0%) males and 25(25%) females, while 18-22years 38(38%) with 18(18%) males and 20(20%) females, 28-32years 9(9.0%) in which 4(4.0%) were males and 5(5.0%) were females. The study showed that the mean age was 23.18 and standard deviation of ±3.160. The mean and standard deviation gotten for dry eye were 21.43±10.96. The study also showed the screen viewing time distribution among the participants within the duration of 4-6hours as the highest occurring duration with 38(38.0%), while 7-9hours was 25(25%), 1-3hours was 19(19%) and above 9hours with the least 18(18%) with the total mean of 1.42 and standard deviation ± 0.997. Correlation between dry eye and screen time in respect to gender, for screen viewing time above 9hours were (p=0.00, p<0.05) while correlation between dry eye and screen viewing time in relation to age group from 18-22years were (p=0.051, p< 0.05), 23-27years (p=0.017, p<0.05) and 28-32 (p=0.126, p<0.05) with the total Pearson chi-square of 0.00 (p=0.00, p<0.05). In conclusion there is statistical correlation between dry eye and screen viewing time especially for constant screen users. The researcher recommends proper orientation and institutional education on screen usage especially for constant users.