Impact of E-Schooling on Digital Eye Strain in Coronavirus Disease Era

Abstract

Purpose: To assess digital eye strain (DES) among schoolchildren during lockdown. Methods: An online questionnaire-based, cross-sectional study was conducted. A validated, self-administered, electronic questionnaire was circulated among students of 5–18 years of age. The duration of data collection was from May 18, 2020 to May 24, 2020. Rasch-based Computer-Vision Symptom Scale was deployed to measure the DES. Results: A total of 654 students (mean age: 12.02 ± 3.9 years) completed the survey. The average per day digital device exposure was 5.2 ± 2.2 h. A total of 507 (92.8%) children reported experiencing at least one asthenopic/dry eye symptom (AS/DS). The most prevalent symptoms were eye redness (69.1%) and heaviness of eyelids (79.7%). Significant positive correlation was reported between age and per day duration of digital device exposure (Pearson correlation 0.25; P < 0.001). Computer vision syndrome (CVS) score for spectacle users was significantly higher ( P < 0.001). CVS score was found to correlate significantly with age and duration of digital device exposure ( P < 0.001). Conclusion: Most of the students surveyed, experienced at least one symptom of DS or AS, indicating a need to educate them about the possible deleterious effects and help them adapt to the currently evolving education system.

Online e-learning during the COVID-19 lockdown in Trinidad and Tobago: prevalence and associated factors with ocular complaints among schoolchildren aged 11–19 years

“…The reported surge in the proportion of children using DD for more than the recommended 2 h a day during the lockdown ( Mohan et al, 2021 ), was associated with an increase in the likelihood for reporting ocular complaints in this study. Considering that uncorrected refractive error or not using the prescribed correction has been linked to ocular complaints of headaches among children who used DD ( Gupta, Chauhan & Varshney, 2021 ; Portello et al, 2012 ; Vilela et al, 2015 ), the higher prevalence of ocular complaints in this study may be related to the fact that majority of the schoolchildren either did not use spectacles when working with their devices, and/or not had an eye examination in the last year.…”

“…These findings are consistent with previous studies that reported a similar higher prevalence of headaches among school children who used DD ( Agarwal, Goel & Sharma, 2013 ; Dessie et al, 2018 ; Mohan et al, 2021 ; Portello et al, 2012 ; Shantakumari et al, 2014 ), and for those studies that reported lower rates of headache (ranging from 17.9–50.2%)( Bahkir & Grandee, 2020 ; Ichhpujani et al, 2019 ; Vilela et al, 2015 ), they were not conducted during the lockdown period. However, a study in India found that most of the participants experienced heaviness (79.7%) and redness of the eye (69.1%) ( Gupta, Chauhan & Varshney, 2021 ). In another study that determined the relationship between screen time (ST) and dry eye, researchers reported that eye fatigue was more prevalent than other ocular complaints in a pediatric population ( Elhusseiny et al, 2021 ).…”

Digital Eye Strain Caused by Online Education Among Children in Qassim Region, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…Studies suggest that age and use of a digital device for more than five hours per day were the independent risk factors associated with DES [ 2 , 5 , 7 , 11 , 12 , 14 ]. These findings are also valid in our study.…”

“…Another study reported a higher prevalence of DES (92.8%) due to online classes and increased screen exposure. The most common symptoms in the study were: heaviness of eyelids and redness of the eyes [ 7 ].…”

Mental health impact of online learning: A look into university students in Brunei Darussalam

“…The change in sleep pattern affected the quality of sleep resulting in poor physical and mental health. Students all over the world reported physical symptoms such as eye strain and backaches due to having participated in online learning for long hours ( Ganne et al, 2021 , Gupta et al, 2021 ). The same is to be implied in Brunei.…”