Effects of digital screen property modification on symptoms of digital eye strain

Abstract

Purpose
To evaluate whether use of digital screen color temperature–modulating software is associated with changes in severity of symptoms associated with digital eye strain.

Methods
In this prospective, interventional study, participants were recruited at ophthalmology clinics and via email. Participants completed a pre-intervention survey regarding demographics, digital screen use patterns, and severity of eight digital eye strain symptoms on a five-point Likert scale. Participants were randomized to use color temperature modulating software, reduce digital screen brightness, or change no digital screen properties on their personal computers for 1 month, after which time participants completed a post-intervention survey on digital eye strain symptom severity and adherence to intervention use. Changes in symptom severity scores were assessed using paired t tests.

Results
Pre-intervention and post-intervention questionnaires were completed by 47 participants. There was no significant difference in computer screen use times and baseline symptom severity across groups. Regarding usability, 19/19 participants (100%) in the color temperature modulation group and 16/17 (94%) in the brightness reduction group used the intervention half the time or more. In the brightness reduction group, there was a significant reduction in the eye fatigue severity score by 0.82 (P = 0.0007). There was no significant reduction in symptom severity in the color temperature modulation and control groups.

Conclusions
In our study cohort, digital screen color temperature modulating software was associated with a high level of usability but was not associated with a reduction in digital eye strain symptom severity.