Dry Eye Disease in Children and Adolescents : integrative literature review
Kaijala, Anne (2025)
2025
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https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025120633194
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025120633194
Tiivistelmä
Introduction: Dry eye disease (DED) is often underdiagnosed and undertreated, typically considered an issue for the elderly. DED is increasingly recognized due to lifestyle factors such as prolonged screen time and environmental conditions. Also, allergies and medical conditions can cause dry eye symptoms. It is a multifactorial disorder characterized by tear film instability, ocular surface inflammation, and neurosensory abnormalities.
Purpose: The purpose of this Master`s thesis was to describe dry eye disease in children and adolescents based on the literature review. The aim of this research was to increase knowledge and deepen the information for optometrists about the causes and treatment of DED in young people.
Methods: The final literature search for the integrative review was conducted using the PubMed and CINAHL databases in the summer of 2025. The search was limited to publications from 2015 to 2025 and to sources in English. A total of 11 studies were ultimately included in the review.
Results: Based on the selected studies, pediatric and adolescent dry eye disease was frequently associated with additional factors such as systemic conditions (e.g., diabetes, autoimmune disorders), allergic conjunctivitis, meibomian gland dysfunction, lifestyle habits like prolonged screen time and smartphone gaming, refractive errors, ocular surgery, and childhood overweight. Structural changes in meibomian glands, including atrophy and shortening, were common findings, even in asymptomatic participants. Diagnostic challenges were noted due to underreporting of symptoms, variability in clinical findings, and limitations of traditional tests
Conclusions: Dry eye disease in children and adolescents has not yet received sufficient attention in research. Symptoms often manifest as ocular discomfort and reduced visual acuity. The topic as a whole deserves greater awareness to ensure more timely and comprehensive approaches to its investigation, diagnosis, and treatment.
Keywords: Dry eye disease, children, adolescents, symptoms, treatment
Purpose: The purpose of this Master`s thesis was to describe dry eye disease in children and adolescents based on the literature review. The aim of this research was to increase knowledge and deepen the information for optometrists about the causes and treatment of DED in young people.
Methods: The final literature search for the integrative review was conducted using the PubMed and CINAHL databases in the summer of 2025. The search was limited to publications from 2015 to 2025 and to sources in English. A total of 11 studies were ultimately included in the review.
Results: Based on the selected studies, pediatric and adolescent dry eye disease was frequently associated with additional factors such as systemic conditions (e.g., diabetes, autoimmune disorders), allergic conjunctivitis, meibomian gland dysfunction, lifestyle habits like prolonged screen time and smartphone gaming, refractive errors, ocular surgery, and childhood overweight. Structural changes in meibomian glands, including atrophy and shortening, were common findings, even in asymptomatic participants. Diagnostic challenges were noted due to underreporting of symptoms, variability in clinical findings, and limitations of traditional tests
Conclusions: Dry eye disease in children and adolescents has not yet received sufficient attention in research. Symptoms often manifest as ocular discomfort and reduced visual acuity. The topic as a whole deserves greater awareness to ensure more timely and comprehensive approaches to its investigation, diagnosis, and treatment.
Keywords: Dry eye disease, children, adolescents, symptoms, treatment