ABSTRACT
Energy drinks have gained popularity among university students as a means to boost energy levels and enhance cognitive performance. However, concerns regarding their potential physiological effects, particularly on tear secretion and ocular surface health, remain largely unexplored. This study aimed to investigate the impact of energy drink consumption on tear secretion among University of Benin students. A case-controlled crossover experimental design was employed, involving 50 participants (25 males, 25 females) aged 18-25 years. The Schirmer tear test was utilized to measure tear secretion at baseline and at 45-minute intervals up to 135 minutes following the consumption of either an energy drink (Predator) or an equivalent volume of water. Statistical analysis using paired and independent t-tests revealed no significant difference in tear secretion between energy drink and water consumption across all measured time points (p > 0.05). The p-value of comparing the effect of energy drink consumption and water consumption on tear secretion showed to be 0.68 at 0min (p > 0.05) which was insignificant, 0.45 at 45mins (p > 0.05) which proved to be insignificant , 0.95 at 90mins (p > 0.05) which was insignificant as well and 0.26 at 135mins (p > 0.05) which was also insignificant. In addition, no statistically significant gender-based differences were observed (p > 0.05). The p-value for the effect of tear secretion on gender was 0.38 at 0min (p> 0.05) which was insignificant, 0.27 at 45mins (p > 0.05) which also proved to be insignificant, 0.18 at 90mins (p > 0.05) which was insignificant as well and 0.57 at 135 mins (p > 0.05) which was also not significant. These findings suggest that, in the short term, energy drink consumption does not significantly alter tear production compared to water. It also shows that gender has no significant contribution to tear secretion following energy drink consumption.
Keywords: Tear Secretion, Energy Drinks, Schirmer Test, University Students,Tear Volume, Gender, Optometry and Eye Care.
