Screen time and myopia: A serial multiple mediator SEM analysis

Abstract

BackgroundCOVID-19 has influenced education systems worldwide, and significantly increased screen time for college students, posing a potential risk of myopia. In China, ninety percent of college students suffer from myopia. Excessive screen time changes college students' lifestyles, imposes potential health risks, and affects opportunities for employment. It is important to identify the potential correlation between screen time use and myopia among college students.MethodsThis paper conducted a nationwide experiment using Chinese college students and set a multiple-mediator SEM model to analyze the potential correlation between screen time and myopia. The two mediators were sedentary behavior and physical activity, respectively.ResultsWe obtained three valuable conclusions as follows: First, there was no significant direct relationship between screen time and myopia among Chinese college students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Second, sedentary behavior and physical activity significantly predicted the increase/decrease of myopia among Chinese college students, respectively. Third, a serial multiple mediator that encompassed sedentary behavior and physical activity sequentially fully mediated the relationship between screen time and myopia.ConclusionsAlthough there was no directly significant relationship between screen time and myopia, screen time can indirectly influence the risk of suffering myopia by influencing sedentary behavior and physical activity. Our study demonstrates the need to prevent the potential influence of overuse of electronic devices on myopia in college students, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Survey on pattern of myopia in school children in Hangzhou after the COVID-19 pandemic: a school-based vision screening study

“…Outdoor light is more protective against myopia than indoor light may be related to differences in the composition of the spectrum [ 4 , 20 ]. Reduced outdoor exercise and the heavy use of electronic devices have increased near-work time and near-work-related habits, more time spent on near-work activities was associated with higher odds of myopia [ 21 ]. Our study found that myopia prevalence in children begins to decrease in 2022 and the myopia prevalence in 2022 was the lowest in the five-year follow-up, benefiting from the implementation of myopia prevention and control policies.…”