Dry eye complaints among teenagers in Kosovo: prevalence and underlying causes

Abstract

Purpose The incidence of dry eye disorder has increased concurrently with new technological development, the rapid increase in the use of smart devices, and the popularization of social media, video platforms, and internet browsing. This research aimed to investigate the connections between screen time, dry eye symptoms, and other factors. Methods We surveyed a total of 776 participants in three different high schools in Prizren (Kosovo), including 441 (56.89%) female and 335 (43.11%) male participants. The average age of the participants, ranging from 15 to 19, was 16.28 (1.01). Participants were asked about their history of eye disease, diopter level, daily use of technological devices, the length of time they spent on these devices, the impact of these devices on their eye health, their prior knowledge about eye problems, the source of this information, their reasons for using technological devices, and whether they exhibit any of the six prevalent DED symptoms. In addition, a Schirmer test was administered to both eyes. Results Almost half of the adolescents reported at least one of the DED symptoms (F = 51.8% and M = 40.7%), and only a small group (F = 26.0% and M = 16.4%) sought medical attention for their symptoms. Schirmer test scores of female participants (Schirmer OD = 13.90 ± 9.13 and OS = 13.93 ± 9.10) were significantly lower (p < 0.05) compared to those of male participants (Schirmer OD = 15.61 ± 9.13, OS = 15.60 ± 9.10) for both eyes. Conclusion Amongst the general population, adolescents are the group most exposed to technological development and its possible risks. Screen time exposure is relatively high among adolescents, correlating with the high percentage of reported DED symptoms.