Full-spectrum LED screen-bar lighting as an adjunct to artificial tears in visual display terminal-related dry eye: a randomized study.
Nuan Zhang, Caizhen Qiu, Wenjing Huang et al.
✦ AI-curated · Sources linked
In 30 seconds
This prospective, randomised, single-centre study assessed whether full-spectrum screen-bar lighting adds benefit to artificial tears in 66 participants with newly diagnosed visual display terminal-related dry eye and limited corneal staining. At one month, symptoms improved in both groups, with greater Ocular Surface Disease Index reduction in the lamp-plus-tears group (adjusted between-group difference, - 7.33; P = 0.042). Non-invasive tear breakup time also improved in both groups, but the between-group difference was not significant. No significant group differences emerged for other reported ocular surface measures, and no study-related adverse events were reported.
Key findings
- At one month, Ocular Surface Disease Index scores improved in both groups (both P < 0.001), with greater reduction using the lamp (adjusted between-group difference, - 7.33; P = 0.042).
- Non-invasive tear breakup time increased in both groups (P = < 0.017), with no significant between-group difference (adjusted difference, 0.26; P = 0.726).
- Changes in tear meniscus height, conjunctival hyperemia, tear-film lipid layer thickness, and partial blinking rate did not differ significantly between groups.
- No study-related adverse events were reported.
Why it matters
The findings suggest that an environmental lighting adjunct may improve reported symptoms over one month when added to artificial tears, although objective ocular surface measures did not show corresponding between-group benefits. This distinction is clinically relevant when interpreting symptom improvement and underscores the need for further evidence before drawing conclusions about broader or sustained effects.
What to keep in mind
The study was single-centre and assessed short-term outcomes at one month in participants with newly diagnosed disease and limited corneal staining. Further studies are needed to confirm the findings.