Relationship Between Ocular Surface Disease Index, Dry Eye Tests, and Demographic Properties in Computer Users

Objectives: The aim of the present study is to evaluate the ocular surface disease index (OSDI) in computer users and to investigate the correlations of this index with dry eye tests and demographic properties. Materials and Methods: In this prospective study, 178 subjects with an age range of 20-40 years and who spent most of their daily life in front of the computers were included. All participants underwent a complete ophthalmologic examination including basal secretion test, tear break-up time test, and ocular surface staining. In addition, all patients completed the OSDI questionnaire. Results: A total of 178 volunteers (101 female, 77 male) with a mean age of 28.8 +/- 4.5 years were included in the study. Mean time of computer use was 7.7 +/- 1.9 (5-14) hours/day, and mean computer use period was 71.1 +/- 39.7 (4-204) months. Mean OSDI score was 44.1 +/- 24.7 (0-100). There was a significant negative correlation between the OSDI score and tear break-up time test in the right (p=0.005 r=-0.21) and the left eyes (p=0.003 r=-0.22). There was a significant positive correlation between the OSDI score and gender (p=0.014 r=0.18) and daily computer usage time (p=0.008 r=0.2). In addition to this, there was a significant positive correlation between the OSDI score and ocular surface staining pattern in the right (p=0.03 r=0.16) and the left eyes (p=0.03 r=0.17). Age, smoking, type of computer, use of glasses, presence of symptoms, and basal secretion test were not found to be correlated with OSDI score. Conclusions: Long-term computer use causes ocular surface problems. The OSDI were found to be correlated with tear break-up time test, gender, daily computer usage time, and ocular surface staining pattern in computer users.