Sedentary Behavior Associated with Elevated Risk of Dry Eye Disease 
            An increase in time spent sedentary was linked to an elevated risk of dry eye disease (DED), particularly in those who had lower physical activity levels than what the World Health Organization suggests, according to a recent study in The Ocular Surface.1 That said, because there was no significant link when sitting time for digital device use was excluded, screen time could be the culprit for this finding, and should be seen as a possible key confounder, the study’s researchers say. 
            Specifically, the researchers assessed 48,418 subjects ages 19 to 86 (58% were female). The Women's Health Study (WHS)-defined DED was the primary outcome, and sedentary behavior was evaluated by employing the Marshall Sitting Questionnaire.
             From there, the researchers analyzed the relationship between DED and sedentary behavior, using logistic regressions, corrected for age, sex, BMI, smoking status, demographics, and 48 comorbidities.
              Additionally, the researchers assessed any potential modifying effect of physical activity, and repeated these assessments, excluding the most computer-intensive domains, investigating sedentary behavior separate from digital screen exposure.

1. Nguyen L, Magno MS, Utheim TP, Hammon CJ, VEhof J. The relationship between sedentary behavior and dry eye disease. Ocul Surf. 2023 5;28:11-17. doi: 10.1016/j.jtos.2023.01.002.