Computer Vision Syndrome Among Health Sciences Students in Saudi Arabia: Prevalence and Risk Factors

Altalhi, Abdullah A; Khayyat, Waleed; Khojah, Osama; Alsalmi, Mohammed; Almarzouki, Hashem

doi:10.7759/cureus.7060

Cited by 94 publications

(175 citation statements)

References 9 publications

(19 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

113

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…Based on this score, 94.5% of university students surveyed in this study can be deemed to have CVS. Previous studies on prevalence of CVS among university students in the Eastern Mediterranean region also indicated a high prevalence, with 97.3% prevalence among medical and health sciences students in Saudi Arabia [ 12 ]. It is also estimated that 86% of medical students in Egypt complain of at least one symptom related to CVS [ 2 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The majority of the students in the current study used DD for more than six hours per day, which has been shown to be one of the risk factors of developing CVS [ 16 - 18 ], especially in contact lens users [ 11 ]. It is of interest to note that a higher percentage of students in this study use DDs for more than six hours compared to students in the region [ 2 , 12 ]. This could be due to lag of accommodation which has been linked to computer use [ 19 , 20 ], in addition to microfluctuations in accommodation observed during use of computer screens [ 21 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…All these symptoms are linked to the demanding effect of DD use on accommodation and vergence [ 22 ]. Despite the extended duration of DD usage, the majority of students reported interruptions in using DD with many taking breaks (approximately 20 seconds duration every 20 minutes while looking at a distance of approximately 20 feet) while using their DDs, which is a habit practiced by students in Egypt and Saudi Arabia [ 2 , 12 ]. The American Optometric Association advocates taking a break after 20 minutes of DD use and looking at a distance of 20 feet for a period of 20 seconds as a simple and effective method of alleviating DES [ 23 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Digital Eye Strain and Its Risk Factors Among a University Student Population in Jordan: A Cross-Sectional Study

Gammoh¹

2021

Cureus

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: Several ocular and visual symptoms resulting from use of digital devices are collectively known as digital eye strain (DES) or computer vision syndrome (CVS). Few studies exist on the prevalence of DES among young adults in the Eastern Mediterranean region. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and severity of digital eye strain among a university student population in Jordan. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with students enrolled at Al-Ahliyya Amman University in Jordan. DES was evaluated using the Computer Vision Syndrome Questionnaire (CVS-Q), which was filled out by students who were approached at random and signed an informed consent to participate in the study. Information related to the type, intensity of usage, settings of digital device (DD) used, and post-device use student-reported physical complaints were recorded. Results: Data from 382 students were analyzed. Prevalence of CVS was 94.5%, with tearing being the most prevalent symptom (59%), while double vision was least reported by students (18.3%). DD use for more than six hours per day was reported by 55.5% of the sample size, and 30.7% of the students reported pain in joints of fingers and wrists after using a mobile phone. Conclusion: CVS is highly prevalent among university students in Jordan. With the increased dependence on online education due to coronavirus disease, safe habits in digital device use are recommended.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Digital Eye Strain and Its Risk Factors Among a University Student Population in Jordan: A Cross-Sectional Study

Gammoh¹

2021

Cureus

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…This pattern was seen in many studies including recently among university students of different colleges in Saudi Arabia with a headache prevalence of 68%. [ 10 ] Unfortunately, no studies assessing the prevalence of headache among the Lebanese population were found in the literature making it an interesting point to explore in the future.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For instance, in Ajman (United Arab Emirates) and Jeddah (Saudi Arabia), females were more likely to develop asthenopia. [ 2 10 ]…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Asthenopia among university students: The eye of the digital generation

Sawaya

Meski

Saba

et al. 2020

J Family Med Prim Care

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: Asthenopia or eye strain is one of the major medical problems that students face during their academic years. Objectives: The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of asthenopia among a sample of university students attending various majors and to identify the risk factors for its development. Methods: This is a cross sectional study conducted on students attending various faculties at the American University of Beirut during the spring semester of 2019. Students were asked to fill a self-administered anonymous questionnaire that inquired about demographics, use of digital devices, symptoms of asthenopia, possible risk factors and protective measures. A bivariate analysis was performed to correlate asthenopia with the different variables. A multivariate analysis was then conducted to determine the extent of contribution of the different variables to asthenopia after controlling for confounding variables. Results: The prevalence of asthenopia was found to be 67.8% with blurred vision being the most reported symptom (27.0%). A bivariate analysis was used to assess the association between asthenopia and the following variables: demographics, digital device use, reasons for using digital devices, and preventive methods. Age, being a continuous variable, was analyzed using an independent t- test. For the variables that were found to be have a p-value < 0.2, a multiple logistic regression was performed. Old age was found to be a protective factor for asthenopia, with 0.693 times reduction in asthenopia for every increase in year of age. Using the device for communication for less than four hours ( p =0.012), using the device for less than four hours per day ( p =0.000) and pattern of using the device for less than three years ( p =0.023) were significant in being negatively associated with asthenopia. As for preventative measures that protect users from digital eyestrain, we found that using eye drops ( p =0.004; OR=0.375) and taking regular breaks ( p =0.000; OR= 0.399) were protective factors whereas using adjustable screens was a risk factor ( p =0.000; OR=3.083). Conclusion: Asthenopia was found to be of non-negligible prevalence among this sample of university students. The results of this study highlight the importance of establishing awareness campaigns and encourage the introduction of targeted screenings for asthenopia among college students.

show abstract

Toward the sustainability of mobile learning applications in higher education: an empirical study

Altalhi

2023

Univ Access Inf Soc

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Computer Vision Syndrome Among Health Sciences Students in Saudi Arabia: Prevalence and Risk Factors

Abstract: Altalhi et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License CC-BY 4.0., which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

Cited by 94 publications

References 9 publications

Digital Eye Strain and Its Risk Factors Among a University Student Population in Jordan: A Cross-Sectional Study

Digital Eye Strain and Its Risk Factors Among a University Student Population in Jordan: A Cross-Sectional Study

Asthenopia among university students: The eye of the digital generation

Toward the sustainability of mobile learning applications in higher education: an empirical study

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About