Influence of video display terminal use and meibomian gland dysfunction on the ocular surface and tear neuromediators

Objective To evaluate the effects of video display terminal (VDT) work and meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) on ocular surface parameters, tear cytokine and substance P (SP) levels, and their association with dry eye disease (DED). Methods This cross-sectional study included 60 patients with evaporative DED and 20 healthy individuals. The DED patients were divided into three groups according to daily VDT work time and presence of MGD. The ocular surface and tear film were assessed using the Ocular Surface Disease Index questionnaire (OSDI), tear film break-up time (TBUT), ocular surface staining, Schirmer II test, and corneal sensitivity. MGD was evaluated with meibography. Corneal nerve alterations were evaluated using in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM). The tear levels of 30 cytokines and SP were examined. Results Compared to controls, DED patients had higher OSDI score ( p