Intended for healthcare professionals

CCBYNC Open access

Rapid response to:

Research

Effect of laughter exercise versus 0.1% sodium hyaluronic acid on ocular surface discomfort in dry eye disease: non-inferiority randomised controlled trial

BMJ 2024; 386 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj-2024-080474 (Published 11 September 2024) Cite this as: BMJ 2024;386:e080474

Rapid Response:

Laughter exercise for dry eye disease Re: Effect of laughter exercise versus 0.1% sodium hyaluronic acid on ocular surface discomfort in dry eye disease: non-inferiority randomised controlled trial

Dear Editor

We read with interest the article published recently by Li et al. [1] We congratulate the authors for conducting an important study. Dry eye disease (DED) is associated with many factors, and occupation is one of them. [2] Indoor workers are more likely to have DED than outdoor workers. [2] This may be due to the working environment and prolonged use of computers and other video terminals in indoor workers. [3,4] Thus, it would be better if the authors could include the occupations of the two study groups in the manuscript.

According to the study period stated in the article, the study was conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic. [1] During that period, many people had to work at home, using computer/laptop and attending online meetings. These activities could increase the risks of DED, and also worsen the symptoms of DED. [5] According to a review, video terminal use is strongly associated with DED. [3] Thus, the authors are recommended to present the information about the participants’ working hours with video terminals during the study period.

We highly appreciate the authors’ innovative idea and high-quality work. More information about the participants’ occupation and working behaviors would help us better understand the clinical application of the study.

Best regards,

Rong Tian, Department of Ophthalmology, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University (The first people’s hospital of Changde city), Changde, China.

References
1. Li J, Liao Y, Zhang SY, et al. Effect of laughter exercise versus 0.1% sodium hyaluronic acid on ocular surface discomfort in dry eye disease: non-inferiority randomised controlled trial. Bmj. 2024;386:e080474.
2. Bazeer S, Jansonius N, Snieder H, Hammond C, Vehof J. The relationship between occupation and dry eye. Ocul Surf. 2019;17(3):484-490.
3. Fjaervoll H, Fjaervoll K, Magno M, et al. The association between visual display terminal use and dry eye: a review. Acta Ophthalmol. 2022;100(4):357-375.
4. Chlasta-Twardzik E, Górecka-Nitoń A, Nowińska A, Wylęgała E. The Influence of Work Environment Factors on the OcularSurface in a One-Year Follow-Up Prospective Clinical Study. Diagnostics (Basel). 2021;11(3).
5. Muntz A, Turnbull PR, Kim AD, et al. Extended screen time and dry eye in youth. Cont Lens Anterior Eye. 2022;45(5):101541.

Competing interests: No competing interests

13 September 2024
Rong Tian
Ophthalmologist
Department of Ophthalmology, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University (The first people’s hospital of Changde city), Changde, China
818 Renmin Road changde city China 415000