AIM: To analyze the prevalence factors of dry eye syndrome in youth video terminals workers, and to explore the efficacy of artificial tear for the treatment of dry eye syndrome.

METHODS: Totally 136 cases with dry eye syndrome due to long-term video terminal contacts were clinically investigated, including common symptoms(dry eye, visual fatigue, foreign body sensation etc.), breaking-up time(BUT), Schirmer test. Then 130 cases were selected and randomly divided into two groups. Treatment group 65 cases were treated by artificial tears, 3 times a day, one drop each time. Control group 65 cases were treated with oral tetracycline 250mg, twice a day, continuous for 3 months.

RESULTS: Common symptoms: dry eye and foreign body sensation(89.2% in the treatment group, control group 80.0%), burning sensation(33.9% in the treatment group, control group 30.8%), asthenopia(treatment group 72.3%, control group 67.7%), blurred vision(30.8% in the treatment group, control group 35.4%), eye pain(therapy group, 24.6% control group 21.5%); the two groups had no significant difference. Before and after the treatment, the two experiments of BUT and Schirmer had significantly statistical difference.

CONCLUSION: Video display terminals(VDT)is the main reason for youth dry eye syndrome. Local artificial tears using is significantly better than oral tetracycline.