The effect of long‐term use of gadgets on the condition of the bulbar conjunctiva in young people

Abstract

Aims/Purpose: To evaluate the condition of the bulbar conjunctiva in young people by the method of impression cytology in response to long‐term use of gadgets.Methods: The research design consisted of 40 students (80 eyes) aged 18–20 years (19 ± 1.2). All students underwent general ophthalmological examinations, including blink rate per minute and impression cytology of the bulbar conjunctiva from the temporal side. Changes in the bulbar conjunctiva were evaluated according to Nelson's classification. Criterion for inclusion in the study: time spent on gadgets at least 6 h per day. Exclusion criteria: contact lens users, chronic eyelid diseases, diabetes, systemic connective tissue diseases, Sjögren's disease...).Results: Morphological and morphometric studies of the bulbar conjunctiva showed that most of the subjects (35 students, which is 87.5%) had a normal epithelial state of the front surface of the eye, which corresponds to 0–1 degrees according to Nelson, while 5 students had changes in the form of partial squamous metaplasia, which corresponded to the II degree according to Nelson and amounted to 12.5%. Blink frequency was reduced in 27 subjects, which was 67.5%. In most cases (n = 34, 85%) had a reduced blink frequency while working with gadgets, and 27 students (67.5%) had it reduced even without using digital devices.Conclusions: The results of our research showed that 12.5% of students had changes in the epithelium of the bulbar conjunctiva, corresponding to the II degree according to Nelson, which can be considered as adaptively compensatory processes, in response to long‐term use of gadgets. Therefore, it is necessary to prescribe moisturizing drops to young people, which do not contain preservatives, phosphates and buffers (for example, Thealoz duo).