A cross-sectional study to find out association between smartphone addiction and dry eye disease among medical students in Jamnagar

Abstract

Background: In the recent times, use of smart phone and multimedia devices is extensive. With prolonged use of smart phones, multimedia devices and social media ophthalmic and psychiatric complications are rising in young population. Aim and Objectives: The aim of the study was to find out prevalence of smartphone addiction and dry eye disease and association between smartphone addiction and dry eye disease in medical students. Material and Methods: This study was conducted in M.P. Shah Government Medical College and included 201 medical students. This was analytical survey-based study. Data collection was done through Google form and the survey included demographic questions, pre-structured smartphone addiction scale-short version, and ocular surface disease index questionnaire. Results: The prevalence of dry eye disease in medical students was 52.73% and the prevalence of smartphone addiction was 20%. In our study, dry eye disease was present in 45% of subjects with smartphone addiction. Conclusion: The prolonged usage of smartphone leads to increased screen exposure time which may be causative factor for ophthalmic problems and dry eye disease. More awareness in adolescent and young population about potential hazards of prolonged screen exposure and smartphone is necessary nowadays.