[Dry eye syndrome and the PC screen].
OBJECTIVE
To study the correlation between PC screen exposure of over 8 hours and Dry Eye Syndrome in 18-25 years-old students.


METHODS
This is a cross-sectional, cohort clinical study, carried out in March 2012 - February 2013. All subjects completed a questionnaire, underwent a slit lamp examination and measurement of visual acuity.


RESULTS
Among the 59 participants of this study, 26 were EXPOSED (> 8 hours of PC screen exposure = EXPOSED) and 33 were NONEXPOSED. The 18-25 - year old participants who were exposed over 8 hours to the PC screen had a relative risk of 5,5 to develop Dry Eye Syndrome, compared to NONEXPOSED participants. Results indicate that Dry Eye Syndrome incidence and intensity of symptoms had increased proportionally with the hours of exposure. Tear Film Breakup Time, the Ocular Protection Index and the PC Ocular Protection Index decreased with the hours of PC screen exposure, suggesting a behavioral change in the EXPOSED participants.


CONCLUSIONS
Exposure of over 8 hours to the PC screen caused Dry Eye Syndrome in 18-25 - year old students, with a relative risk of 5,5.
Iulia
I
Moldovan
Cristina
C
Stan
Alexandra
A
Marc
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003201:Computers; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015352:Dry Eye Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D033401:Microscopy, Acoustic; D011932:Reading; D012307:Risk Factors; D012383:Romania / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D014792:Visual Acuity