Examining the correlation between screen time, mental health, and dry eye syndrome among undergraduate students at KAHS

Background:Prolonged screen time among university students has been linked to dry eye syndrome (DES) and mental health challenges. This study examined the correlations between screen time, depression, and DES among undergraduate students at the Kuliyyah of Allied Health Sciences (KAHS), International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM). Methods:A cross-sectional study of 90 students (aged 19–24 years) used validated instruments, the Screen Time Questionnaire (STQ), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and Dry Eye-related Quality of Life Score (DEQS). Results:Median daily screen time was 4.2 hours, with moderate depressive symptoms (median PHQ-9 = 6) and DES impact (median DEQS = 21). Depression and DES showed a strong positive correlation (r = 0.508, p< 0.001), while screen time (STQ) did not correlate significantly with either. Conclusion:Depressive symptoms were strongly related to DES severity, suggesting psychological health should be considered in managing ocular surface complaints among students.