Interventions for digital eye strain in adolescents: a structured review with supporting evidence from young adult populations.

OBJECTIVE: To review and synthesize interventions for digital eye strain in adolescents, while incorporating evidence from young adult populations to address gaps in the literature. BACKGROUND: Digital eye strain (DES) is increasingly prevalent among adolescents due to the growing use of digital devices. However, evidence regarding effective interventions specifically targeting this population remains limited. METHODS: A structured review of studies evaluating interventions for DES was conducted. Adolescents were defined as individuals under 18 years of age. Due to the paucity of adolescent-only studies, studies involving young adults (≥18 years) were also included where relevant. Interventions were categorized into optical, behavioral/ergonomic, pharmacological, nutritional, and educational approaches. Data on study design, population characteristics, and outcomes were extracted and summarized. RESULTS: Few studies exclusively investigated adolescents, with most evidence derived from young adult populations or mixed-age cohorts. Interventions demonstrating benefit included behavioral and ergonomic strategies (e.g., optimized viewing distance, break schedules), ocular surface management (e.g., artificial tears), and selected optical or nutritional approaches. Blue-light filtering interventions generally showed limited or no benefit. Adolescent-specific studies, although scarce, indicated that both behavioral and nutritional interventions may reduce DES symptoms. CONCLUSION: There is a clear paucity of intervention studies targeting adolescents with digital eye strain. Evidence from young adult populations suggests that ergonomic and ocular surface-focused strategies may have relevance for adolescents; however, direct evidence in adolescent populations remains limited and age-specific studies are needed before definitive recommendations can be made.