The Effect of Four Hours of Continuous Personal Computer (PC) Gaming on the Development of Dry Eye Symptoms in College Students.

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate if a short period of playing video games on a personal computer (PC) causes changes in measurements of dry eye disease (DED).

Patients and methods: We recruited 41 Quinnipiac University students (ages 18-23 years, mean age 19.66±1.09 years; 9 females, 32 males), with eligibility criteria being 18+ years old, identifying as "gamers" without previous history of eye surgery, steroid use, autoimmune disorders, or history of or previous treatment for dry eye. Each student was administered DED-related assessments before/after four hours of continuous PC gaming: 1) Standardized Patient Evaluation of Eye Dryness (SPEED) and Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaires, 2) Snellen visual acuity test, 3) tear osmolarity point-of-care assay, 4) matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) inflammation point-of-care assay, and 5) an unanesthetized Schirmer test of tear production. Students were limited to 500 cc of water during the four hour period.

Results: Following gaming, the mean SPEED scores increased significantly (p<0.001, Wilcoxon signed-rank test), as did the frequency and severity of soreness/irritation and eye fatigue. Tear osmolarity decreased and tear production increased in the right eye. Other metrics (OSDI, Snellen, and MMP-9) did not change significantly.

Conclusion: As little as four hours of continuous PC gaming with limited hydration results in an increase in self-reported measures of DED symptoms. These prospective findings corroborate the epidemiological link between gaming and DED symptoms and highlight the need for long-term studies.