Volatile Organic Compounds in University Study Environments and Their Association with Tear Film Stability: An Environmental Chemistry Optometry Investigation of Digital Eye Strain

Abstract

Digital eye strain and dry eye symptoms are increasingly prevalent among university students due to prolonged screen

exposure and extended hours spent in indoor study environments. University libraries, classrooms, and computer

laboratories may also contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released from paints, furniture, carpets, cleaning

products, printers, and other indoor materials, which may negatively affect ocular health. While previous studies have

separately examined indoor air pollution and digital eye strain, limited research has investigated their combined effect

on tear film stability among students. This study aims to examine the relationship between VOC exposure in

university study environments, tear film stability, and digital eye strain.

A cross-sectional observational study will be conducted among university students aged 18–30 years who regularly

use digital devices for academic purposes. Indoor environmental parameters, including VOC concentration, carbon

dioxide levels, temperature, and relative humidity, will be measured in selected university study spaces such as

libraries, classrooms, and computer labs. Participants will complete standardized questionnaires, including the Ocular

Surface Disease Index (OSDI) and Computer Vision Syndrome Questionnaire (CVS-Q), to assess dry eye and digital

eye strain symptoms. Tear film stability will be evaluated using Tear Break-Up Time (TBUT). Statistical analyses

will determine associations between environmental exposure and ocular outcomes.