Association between prolonged use of smartphone and the incidence of dry eye among junior high school students

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the association between prolonged use of smartphone and the incidence of dry eye among adolescents. A cross sectional study was performed among junior high school students in Makassar. Of 143 students within the age of 12–16 years old, 74 were those with over 3-h use of smartphone, while 69 spent less than or equal to 3 h. Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire was performed, followed by blink rate, Tear Break Up Time (TBUT), Tear Meniscus Height (TMH) examinations, and Schirmer test. Pearson's correlation, Independent-t and Chi Square tests were employed for data analysis. The result indicates that there was a significant association between the prolonged use of smartphone and dry eye incidence as specified by OSDI score (p < 0,01), abnormal blink rate (p < 0,01), TBUT (p < 0,05), TMH (p < 0,01), dan Schirmer test (p < 0,01). The more extent use of smartphone, the lower the scores of abnormal blink rate, TBUT, TMH, and Schirmer tests were obtained, and the higher OSDI score was gained. In conclusion, the prolonged use of smartphone promotes various eye disorders. Therefore, parental advisory upon the smartphone use among adolescents is necessary to prevent the detrimental effects.