Academic Journal
Impact of screen use on tear breakup time: associations with ophthalmological factors and break frequency in office workers.
| Title: | Impact of screen use on tear breakup time: associations with ophthalmological factors and break frequency in office workers. |
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| Authors: | Ece BŞD; Department of Ophthalmology, Kastamonu University Faculty of Medicine, Kastamonu, Turkey., Altındaş İ; Department of Ophthalmology, Kastamonu University Faculty of Medicine, Kastamonu, Turkey. |
| Source: | Arquivos brasileiros de oftalmologia [Arq Bras Oftalmol] 2025 Oct 10; Vol. 88 (6), pp. e20250083. Date of Electronic Publication: 2025 Oct 10 (Print Publication: 2025). |
| Publication Type: | Journal Article |
| Language: | English |
| Journal Info: | Publisher: Conselho Brasileiro de Oftalmologia Country of Publication: Brazil NLM ID: 0400645 Publication Model: eCollection Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1678-2925 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 00042749 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Arq Bras Oftalmol Subsets: MEDLINE |
| Imprint Name(s): | Publication: São Paulo : Conselho Brasileiro de Oftalmologia Original Publication: São Paulo. |
| MeSH Terms: | Tears*/physiology , Dry Eye Syndromes*/etiology , Dry Eye Syndromes*/physiopathology , Screen Time* , Computer Terminals*, Refractive Errors/physiopathology ; Humans ; Female ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Adult ; Time Factors ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult |
| Abstract: | Purpose: To examine how ophthalmological features, screen exposure duration, and break habits among office employees affect ocular surface parameters. Methods: This single-center cross-sectional study involved two assessments on the same day: one before and one after a visual display terminal task. During the initial assessment, information on screen use was gathered, and refractive error, anterior segment examination, tear breakup time, and Schirmer test measurements were conducted. Participants tracked their screen usage and break durations throughout the day. At the end of the workday, tear breakup time and Schirmer I tests were repeated. Baseline and follow-up results were compared, and regression analysis was performed to identify factors linked to tear breakup time reduction. Results: The study enrolled 60 female office employees. Their mean screen time was 269.26 ± 70.21 min, with an average break duration of 151.93 ± 46.24 min. Tear breakup time at the second assessment (6.38 ± 2.70) was significantly lower than at baseline (8.62 ± 2.73) (p<0.001), whereas Schirmer test scores showed no significant change (p>0.05). Tear breakup time reduction was noted in 54 participants (90.0%), with a significant association between tear breakup time decrease percentage and screen exposure (p=0.001, r=0.463). Regression analysis showed that uncorrected or undercorrected refractive error was an independent risk factor for a ≥30% tear breakup time reduction, while taking more frequent short breaks (<15 min) acted as a protective factor. Conclusions: Taking more frequent short breaks (<15 min) and correcting refractive errors help prevent intra-day tear breakup time decline during visual display terminal use. Structuring breaks to support tear film stability is advisable for occupations that require regular visual display terminal tasks. |
| Entry Date(s): | Date Created: 20251015 Date Completed: 20251015 Latest Revision: 20260507 |
| Update Code: | 20260507 |
| PubMed Central ID: | PMC12997607 |
| DOI: | 10.5935/0004-2749.2025-0083 |
| PMID: | 41092214 |
| Database: | MEDLINE |
| ISSN: | 1678-2925 |
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| DOI: | 10.5935/0004-2749.2025-0083 |