Evidence map›Paper›PMID 38629642›Full record

ReviewSeminars in ophthalmology2025

Tear Film Dynamics in Visual Display Terminal Users: A Review of Impact on Goblet Cells, Lacrimal and Meibomian Gland Function.

Moumi Maity, Anat Galor, Sayan Basu, Swati Singh

Open access · greenAbstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Seminars in ophthalmology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
2.2field-weighted citation impact, top 13% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed, 4 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Article
  2. Article
  3. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors at 2 institutions in 3 countries.

Moumi MaityCenter for Ocular Regeneration (CORE), L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, Telangana, India.
Anat GalorBascom Plamer Eye Institute, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA.
Sayan BasuBrien Holden Center for Eye Research (BHERC), L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, Telangana, India.ORCID 0000-0001-5030-5003
Swati SinghBrien Holden Center for Eye Research (BHERC), L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, Telangana, India.
L V Prasad Eye Institute · INUnited States Department of Veterans Affairs · US

Funding

DBT-Wellcome Trust India Alliance IA/CPHE/21/1/505970Wellcome Trust
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeThe prevalence of dry eye disease (DED) is rising among visual display terminal (VDT) users, a trend that correlates with the growing use of digital devices. The prevalence of VDT-associated DED is reported based on dry eye questionnaires; however, VDT's impact on tear film parameters is less understood.

methodsA review of published literature on both the alterations in tear film observed in VDT users and the impact of various interventions on their tear film.

resultsMost studies show reduction in tear stability as well as reduction in the blink rate. The role of lacrimal gland hypofunction in visual display terminal (VDT) users is a subject of ongoing debate. Schirmer test values typically exceed the 10 mm threshold, suggesting normal tear production, and tear osmolarity remains within normal ranges but VDT users consistently present with lower Schirmer values compared to non-VDT users. The effects on Meibomian glands and mucin levels need more research as the numbers studied are small. Very few studies have analysed mucin levels in VDT users with reports of normal or reduced values. Even asymptomatic users can have tear film instability; hence, the diagnostic criteria need to be formulated and validated. Different interventions such as neurostimulation, blink improving apps, eyelid warming devices, moist goggles, and lubricants have been explored in VDT users but without a control arm and in asymptomatic VDT users in most studies.

conclusionThe alterations have been observed on aqueous, lipid and mucin components of the tear film, although the extent of the impact is variable across studies. There is urgent need of well-designed studies for studying the tear film changes and management options for the upcoming lifestyle epidemic in VDT users.

Indexed as

Computer TerminalsDry Eye SyndromesGoblet CellsLacrimal ApparatusMeibomian GlandsTearsBlinkingHumansDry eye diseaselacrimal glandtear break-up timetear filmvisual display terminal

Identifiers

PMID38629642
PMCPMC7616525
OpenAlexW4394869069

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceTDM
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.