Dry eye disease is increasingly common in children and is strongly associated with higher daily screen time, particularly in those aged 10-14, according to a poster presented at AAO 2025.
Researchers evaluated 1,750 patients aged 5 to 17 over six months, using a validated pediatric dry eye questionnaire alongside a comprehensive eye exam.
Participants’ daily screen use was grouped into three categories: low (under 2 hours per day), moderate (2 to 4 hours per day), and high (over 4 hours per day). Among the 1,750 children studied, 35.6% were diagnosed with dry eye disease. The analysis revealed a clear link between longer screen time and increased DED prevalence, particularly in children aged 10–14. In addition, both how often and how long children took breaks from screens were associated with differences in DED severity.
Reference
Bhola R, et al. The Prevalence of DED in Pediatric Patients and Its Correlation With Screen Time: A Cross-Sectional Analysis in a Tertiary Care Pediatric Ophthalmology Center. Poster presented at: American Academy of Ophthalmology Annual Meeting; October 18–20, 2025; Orlando, FL.
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