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Greater screen use linked to dry eye symptoms in children

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Key Takeaways

  1. Greater screen use linked to dry eye symptoms in children
  2. Greater digital device use was associated with higher dry eye symptom scores across 3 questionnaires.

Greater digital device use among children was associated with higher dry eye symptom burden although objective tear film measures were not significantly associated with symptoms, according to a presentation at Academy 2026 Anaheim.

The cross-sectional study, included 131 children aged 6 to younger than 18 years. Participants completed 3 symptom questionnaires in randomized order: the modified Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI), Dry Eye Questionnaire-5 (DEQ-5), and newly developed Pediatric Dry Eye Questionnaire (PedDEQ). The OSDI was modified to ensure it was appropriate for children.

Older age was associated with greater weekday and weekend screen exposure. Digital device use was positively correlated with symptom scores on the PedDEQ, DEQ-5, and modified OSDI.

Time spent outdoors was not significantly associated with dry eye symptoms. Lower non-invasive tear break-up time was also not significantly correlated with symptom scores on any of the 3 questionnaires. Tear meniscus height showed weak, nonsignificant positive trends with symptom burden.

The presenters concluded that age, BMI, and extended digital device use appear to be factors associated with pediatric dry eye symptoms. Longer device use was also associated with greater symptom burden across all 3 questionnaires.

Reference

Castelar S, et al. Age-related behavioral factors and pediatric dry eye symptom burden: the role of screen exposure and outdoor activity. Presented at: American Academy of Optometry (Academy 2026); September 30-October 3, 2026; Anaheim, CA.

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