Impact of Blue Light Exposure From Digital Devices On Ocular Surface Health

Abstract

Background: Uncontrolled blue light exposure from technology screens can damage the ocular surface. Symptoms of dry eye and eye discomfort arise from increased screen time because of reduced blink rates, unstable tear films, and heightened oxidative stress. Understanding the consequences’ clinical implications may provide insight on the consequences’ appropriate prevention and management strategies.

Objective: To Assess the effect of blue light exposure from electronic devices and its relation to dryness of the ocular surface, dry eye syndrome, tear film instability, and eye discomfort.

Study Design: A prospective study.

Place and duration of study: Department of Ophthalmology Bacha Khan Medical College Mardan from June 2024 to December 2024

Methods: As an initial step, the length of time individuals spent on digitals devices daily was recorded. An assessment of the ocular health of a sample of 135 individuals was performed using the Schirmer’s Test, Tear Breakup Time Test, and the Ocular Surface Disease Index, assessing the health of the ocular surface in conjunction with demographic details, symptom and exposure time records for each individual. Data were analyzed with SPSS version 24.0, with a p-value of 0.05 used to indicate statistical significance. 

Results: Out of the 135 individuals, the average age was 28.6 plus or minus 7.4 years. Among the individuals that stated the presence of a dry eye, 62 percent was 84, and of the individuals, 58 percent 78 was determined to have a breakup time of less than 10 seconds. Participants with 6 hours or more daily exposure had a mean OSDI score that was greater than and statistically different from that of individuals with less than 6 hours exposure (p = 0.003). 73 subjects which is 54 percent of the population had Schirmer’s values that were decreased which implies that the individual dry eye symptoms reported were also accompanied by a reduction in tear production. The presence of chronic device use was correlated with the magnitude of change observed to the ocular surface (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Extended exposure to blue light emitted from digital devices impacts the health of the ocular surface and the prevalence of dry eye disease, tear instability, and eye discomfort. These findings highlight the need to advocate for measures to limit screen time and emphasize the need for the use of regular blinking, blue light filter defensive measures, and other defensive measures. Longer longitudinal studies are necessary to determine safe levels of exposure and to assess the long-term impact on the integrity of the ocular surface.