Assessment of the change in the severity of dry eye diseases after prolong reading

Abstract

Objective: Assessment of the change in the severity of dry eye disease after prolonged reading. Methods: A clinical observational study was done. Ocular surface evaluation of 54 patients with dry eye disease and 16 patients without any ocular symptoms as control was done. Results: The mean values in the Dry eye cases and control groups respectively were as follows: OSDI score (34 ±15/7 ± 3); P=0.0039), FTBUT (8 ± 2mm/14 ± 2; P=0.0013), Schirmer's Test score (8 ± 2.5/13 ± 1.5; P=0.0025), corneal staining score (3.8 ± 2.65/0.8 ± 0.25;P=0.0012). Most of the parameters were worsen in dry eye after reading for a mean of 25 ± 2.5 min as follows: FTBUT( 2± 1;P=0.0027), Schirmer’s Test Score(7 ± 1.5;P=0.037), Corneal Staining Score(5.9 ± 1.48);P= 0.0011) and they were statistically significant. Indices in control group after reading for 22 ± 4.5 min also worsened. (Corneal staining score 1.6 ± 1.2; P=0.0019) Conclusion: This study demonstrates a significant impact of prolonged silent reading on the tear film and ocular surface parameters in patients of dry eyes. Everyday tasks, such as reading, exacerbates symptom of dry eye disease (DED).