Treating Symptomatic Heavy Digital Device Users with Systane Hydration PF

Abstract

Purpose : Digital devices are used in nearly every aspect of modern life. While digital devices have improved our lives, some consumers develop bothersome ocular symptoms. The purpose of this investigation was to determine if topical ocular application of a hyaluronic acid- and hydroxypropyl guar-containing artificial tear (Systane Hydration PF) was able to alleviate dryness symptoms and improve the quality of life of patients who have ocular symptoms associated with digital device use.

Methods : This was a 2 week, 3 visit study that recruited participants who used digital devices ≥8 hours per day. Each participant was required to have symptomatic Impact of Dry Eye on Everyday Life (IDEEL) Quality of Life (QoL) Work domain scores (≤80) and Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) scores (13 and 32). All participants were treated with Systane Hydration PF ≥4 times per day. Everyone was randomized to Systane Hydration PF unit-dose or multi-dose system for 1 week. Participants switched to the alterative dosing system at 1 week. The full IDEEL-QoL module and OSDI questionnaire were completed at each visit. A visual analog scale (VAS) home diary was completed to probe ocular comfort. A Likert questionnaire that evaluated dispensing system preferences was completed at the 1- and 2-week visits.

Results : The mean ± SD age of the participants was 28.6 ± 12.0 years (n = 30; 70% female). The mean digital device use at 1 day, 1 week, and 2 weeks was 12.4 ± 3.9, 12.9 ± 5.0, and 10.7 ± 4.2 hours per day, respectively. IDEEL-QoL Daily Activities (83.8 ± 5.4, 88.8 ± 6.1, 91.7 ± 5.6), Feelings (82.9 ± 11.1, 88.1 ± 11.5, 90.0 ± 11.9), and Work (59.0 ± 12.8, 74.0 ± 15.0, 81.4 ± 12.7) scores and OSDI (24.8 ± 6.0, 16.3 ± 7.4, 14.3 ± 8.6) scores all significantly improved across the 3 visits (all p <0.0001). VAS end of day eye comfort significantly improved at 2 weeks compared to 1-day (56.9 ± 21.5 vs. 74.9 ± 19.3; p <0.0001). Participants had a similar preference for the two dosing systems in most respects, though more participants indicated that the multi-dose system was more environmentally friendly than the unit-dose system.

Conclusions : Consistently treating symptomatic heavy digital devices users with Systane Hydration PF for 2 weeks significantly improved dryness symptoms and patient quality of life. Participants were overall equivocal with regards to drop dosing systems suggesting that practitioners should discuss both options with patients.

This abstract was presented at the 2022 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Denver, CO, May 1-4, 2022, and virtually.