Background: The increasing use of digital devices, particularly smartphones, has led to a notable rise in dry eye symptoms among young adults. Traditionally associated with older age groups, dry eye disease (DED) is now emerging as a prevalent concern in younger populations due to prolonged screen exposure, reduced blink rate, and poor screen hygiene behaviors. Understanding the behavioral link between screen time and ocular discomfort is essential to guide preventive strategies and clinical interventions.

Objective: To assess the correlation between mobile screen time and the severity of dry eye symptoms in young adults aged 18–30 years.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Ophthalmology, Bolan Medical College / Helpers Eye Hospital Quetta between March 2020 and August 2022. A total of 280 participants aged 18–30 years were enrolled using non-probability consecutive sampling. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire, including demographic details, average daily mobile screen time, and symptoms assessed using the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI). Participants were categorized based on screen time: <2 hours, 2–4 hours, and >4 hours per day. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 22.0. Correlation between screen time and OSDI scores was evaluated using Pearson's correlation, with a significance level of p < 0.05.

Results: Of the 280 participants, 64.3% reported using mobile devices for more than 4 hours daily. Dry eye symptoms were present in varying degrees: 13.9% had normal OSDI scores, 25% mild, 41.4% moderate, and 18.2% severe. A significant positive correlation (r = 0.46, p < 0.001) was found between screen time and dry eye severity. Participants using screens >4 hours per day had the highest prevalence of moderate to severe symptoms (72.2%), while only 6.9% of those using screens <2 hours showed similar severity.

Conclusion: Prolonged mobile screen time is significantly associated with increased dry eye symptoms among young adults. These findings underscore the need for targeted education and behavioral interventions to reduce screen-related ocular discomfort in this population.

Keywords: Dry eye symptoms, screen time, mobile use, young adults, ocular surface disease, OSDI, digital eye strain.