Dry Eye Syndrome Associated With Smartphone Use in the General Saudi Population

Background and aim Dry eye disease (DED), also known as dry eye syndrome (DES), is a multifactorial ocular condition characterized by tear film instability and discomfort, significantly affecting quality of life. With the widespread use of digital screens, particularly smartphones, concerns about their association with DES have increased. This study aims to assess the prevalence of DES and its relationship with smartphone use .among the general population in Saudi Arabia Method This study was a descriptive cross-sectional analysis conducted online among the general population in Saudi Arabia. The work has been reported in line with the STROCSS (Strengthening the Reporting of Cohort Studies in Surgery) criteria. The questionnaire underwent a pilot test with 40 individuals from the target population to evaluate its efficacy. Using OpenEpi version 3.0 (released 2013, Atlanta, GA, USA; www.OpenEpi.com), the minimum required sample size was calculated to be 385 participants based on a population of 34.1 million in Saudi Arabia, with a 95% .confidence interval and an expected frequency of 50% Results A total of 438 participants were included in the study, of whom 177 (40.4%) were diagnosed with DES. The most commonly used electronic device was the mobile phone (277, 63.2%), and the most frequently used application was Snapchat (228, 52.1%). Participants who did not primarily use TikTok had a higher prevalence of DES (p < 0.05). Frequent dryness or irritation (p < 0.05), vision deviation, use of eyeglasses, and reporting television as the most used electronic device were significantly associated with DES prevalence (p < 0.05). No significant association was found between DES and age, gender, contact lens use, or duration of .(smartphone use (p > 0.05 Discussion This study found a 40.4% prevalence of dry eye syndrome (DES) among the Saudi population sampled, aligning with some regional reports but higher than national averages. The results suggest environmental factors and lifestyle habits, including frequent use of smart devices, may contribute to DES risk. Unlike some international studies, no significant association was observed between DES and age or gender, highlighting possible population-specific differences. Significant correlations were identified between DES and pre-existing eye conditions, use of eyeglasses, and poor sleep quality. Notably, total duration of smartphone use was not linked to DES prevalence, suggesting that factors beyond screen time (such as blink rate and environmental conditions) may play a more critical role in DES development. Limitations include the study’s reliance on self-reported data and its cross-sectional .design, which restricts causal inference Conclusion This study reports a high prevalence of DES among the Saudi Arabian population, with significant associations observed with pre-existing ocular conditions, vision correction methods, and sleep disturbances. However, no direct correlation was found between DES and total smartphone usage duration. These findings underscore the need for further research using objective clinical diagnostic tools to validate self-reported symptoms and to explore targeted interventions for DES .prevention and management