At Dry Eye Institutes of America™ we offer a level of dry eye specialty unique to Dallas/Fort Worth, and perhaps the U.S. As part of our commitment to more effective treatment of dry eye disease we remain keenly aware of all current key dry eye issues. For example, a fairly recent online article connecting children with dry eye disease to smartphone usage which caught our eyes.
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, “nearly 5 million Americans over age 50 are estimated to have dry eye syndrome,” and that “the condition is considerably rarer in children.”*
The article, entitled Smartphone Use Linked to Dry Eye in Schoolchildren**, cites a study published in the April 2014 issue of the Journal of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus. This not only reveals alarming information about dry eye risk in children, it further supports smartphone use as potential risk factor for adults as well.
In the study, researchers in Korea evaluated dry eye disease risk factors among 288 children. Of those, 28 were classified as having dry eyes, and 260 with a normal, moist eye surface. Children were asked to complete a questionnaire about their preferred video devices and how much time they spent using each (computer, smartphone, TV).
What the study revealed: The 28 children diagnosed as having dry eyes were the highest users of smartphones compared to those with a normal, moist eye surface.
The article states “increased daily duration of smartphone use was associated with increased risk of dry eye disease, as was the total hours per day spent using all video devices combined.” In addition, the article pointed out that the study reported no increase of dry eye risk when TV and computer use was measured separately.
According to the article, study authors concluded smartphone use to be an important risk factor for dry eye disease in children; and that “parents should monitor the amount of time their children spend using video displays, especially smartphones, on a daily basis.”
If you suspect you have dry eyes, contact Dry Eye Institutes of America™ at 817-488-3490. Our main office is conveniently located in Grapevine, with affiliated Dallas/Fort Worth specialists near you.
*Are We Missing Dry Eye in Children? EyeNet Magazine aao.org/publications/eyenet/201210/pediatrics.cfm
**allaboutvision.com/conditions/dryeye.htm