Excessive Screen Time Linked to Dry Eye Disease in School-Aged Children, Study Finds

A recent study has revealed a concerning link between excessive screen time and the rising incidence of dry eye disease (DED) among school children. Conducted by researchers from BJ Medical College in Ahmedabad, PDU Government Medical College in Rajkot, and Government Medical College in Satna, the study highlighted that children who use digital devices for more than 3 to 3.5 hours a day are at a significantly higher risk of developing DED.

The study was published in the Indian Journal of Ophthalmology.

Dry eye disease is characterized by insufficient tear production or rapid tear evaporation, leading to symptoms such as discomfort, redness, and blurry vision. The study, which examined 462 school children with an average age of 11 at government hospitals, found that 90% of the participants had mild to severe DED. Symptoms included blurry vision, redness, and itchy or watery eyes.

The research identified that 8 to 10 hours of daily screen use—encompassing recreational, co-curricular, and educational activities—contributed to this condition. Children diagnosed with moderate to severe DED were found to spend 60 to 70% more time on screens compared to their peers with normal eye health. The increased screen time, coupled with a decreased blinking rate, has created a significant burden, affecting 20% of the children studied.

Over a four-day period, the participants reported using computers for 30 minutes to 2 hours for academic purposes and 45 minutes to 2 hours for extracurricular activities. Mobile device usage ranged from 45 minutes to 2 hours for educational purposes and 2 to 3.5 hours for entertainment.

The study reflected broader trends highlighted by a nationwide survey, which found that 95% of children aged 0–8 years used mobile devices in 2017, with 42% having their own tablets. On average, children under 8 spent 2 hours and 19 minutes daily on-screen media. The increase in digital media consumption among youth poses a new challenge of ocular problems and digital eyestrain at an early age, according to the researchers.

To mitigate these issues, the study recommended limiting daily screen time to below 3 hours. It also advocates for the 20/20/20 rule: every 20 minutes, children should look away from the screen, focus on an object at least 20 feet away, for at least 20 seconds. Additionally, parents and teachers are encouraged to implement frequent breaks, suggesting that children take a 10-minute walk away from screens every hour. Utilizing timers or software to remind children to take breaks could further help manage screen time effectively.

"Even an extra half hour of computer use per day can increase the likelihood of moderate to severe dry eye. Policymakers should aim to limit children's screen time to less than 3 hours a day," said the authors.

Reference: Jadeja, Jagruti N; Shroff, Kruti V; Shah, Ashka; Pandey, Ashish1; Dubey, Shubhra2. Association of digital device usage and dry eye disease in school children. Indian Journal of Ophthalmology 72(7):p 1031-1036, July 2024. | DOI: 10.4103/IJO.IJO_703_23