Prevalence and Severity of Dry Eye Disease among Visual Display Terminal Users: A Hospital-Based Study
Keywords:
dry eye disease; visual display terminal; computer vision syndrome; OSDI; tear break-up time; occupational eye health..Abstract
Background: Prolonged use of visual display terminals (VDTs) is a recognised occupational risk factor for dry eye disease (DED). With workplaces increasingly screen-dependent, quantifying the prevalence, severity and modifiable determinants of DED among VDT users is important for occupational eye care. Objectives: To estimate the prevalence and severity of DED among VDT users, and to examine associations between VDT exposure patterns and DED using both symptom (OSDI) and objective ocular-surface measures. Methods: A cross-sectional, hospital-based study of 150 VDT users assessed the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI), tear break-up time (TBUT), Schirmer test and ocular-surface staining. DED was defined by symptoms plus at least one objective sign. High VDT exposure was defined a priori from daily hours and uninterrupted screen time. Associations were tested with the chi-square test, independent t test and Pearson correlation. Results: Participants had a mean age of 35.5 ± 8.4 years (59.3% male). DED prevalence was 62.7% (94/150); severity was mild in 37, moderate in 43 and severe in 14. Mean OSDI was 19.4 ± 11.0 and mean worst-eye TBUT 9.7 ± 2.5 s. OSDI correlated positively with daily VDT hours (r = 0.63, p < 0.001) and uninterrupted screen time (r = 0.52, p < 0.001), and negatively with break frequency (r = −0.47, p < 0.001). DED patients used VDTs longer than non-DED patients (8.0 vs 6.1 h/day; p < 0.001). High VDT exposure was strongly associated with DED (85.2% vs 50.0%; OR 5.75; χ² = 16.8, p < 0.001). DED prevalence was highest in call-centre workers (86.7%). Conclusion: DED was highly prevalent among VDT users and was strongly and dose-dependently associated with longer daily screen time, longer uninterrupted use and fewer breaks. These modifiable exposures are logical targets for workplace preventive strategies.
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