To save our eyes, urgent public health policies are required after the COVID-19 pandemic

Tawonkasiwattanakun, Patarakorn; Tonkerdmongkol, Danai; Poyomtip, Teera

doi:10.1016/j.puhe.2021.02.028

Cited by 5 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…Klaver et al reviewed the publication of Wang and alerted about the need for intelligent lockdowns for the future, highlighting the importance of considering careful planning of indoor activities and not restricting outdoor activities in children [ 38 ]. The same alert has been performed by other eye care professionals [ 39 , 40 ]. Comparing results from Wang el al.’s study to ours, we have found fewer changes in the SE values in the ages included in both studies (6 and 7 years old).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of COVID-19 Home Confinement in Children’s Refractive Errors

Álvarez-Peregrina

Martínez-Pérez

Villa-Collar

et al. 2021

IJERPH

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Background: Myopia is a public health problem, with estimations that 50% of the world population will be myopic by 2050. Some environmental factors, such as time spent outdoors, doing near work, and using digital devices, influence the development of myopia in children. Home confinement in Spain has increased these risk factors, so this study aims to investigate the impact of home confinement during the COVID-19 outbreak in the vision of school-aged children; Methods: A cross-sectional study in children between 5 and 7 years old that completed a visual screening and a questionnaire about their lifestyles at opticians in Spain in September and October of 2019 and 2020. Statistical analysis to compare lifestyles pre and post confinement, and vision in 2020 versus a similar cohort examined at the same opticians in 2019, was conducted; Results: Spanish children spent less time outdoors and more time doing near work in 2020 than in 2019 (p ≤ 0.001). There was a significant decrease of the spherical equivalent (mean ± standard deviation; 0.66 ± 2.03 D in 2019 vs. 0.48 ± 1.81 D in 2020; p ≤ 0.001); Conclusions: Lifestyles of Spanish children changed during the home confinement at the beginning of 2020. Together with changes in their lifestyles, spherical equivalents have decreased, which implies higher figures of myopia for children aged between 5 and 7.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of COVID-19 Home Confinement in Children’s Refractive Errors

Álvarez-Peregrina

Martínez-Pérez

Villa-Collar

et al. 2021

IJERPH

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“…This study provides data on prevalence of eyestrain in this vulnerable age group which has tremendously increased during the pandemic, and will therefore help clinicians to understand the gravity of this emerging health threat. [ 35 ] However, the limitations of this study include those related to questionnaire studies: (i) recall bias, (ii) dishonest answers and interpretation issues, (iii) Online platform could confine the survey to educated people, (iv) Refractory error and other ocular surface disorders could not be objectively assessed.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of increased screen time on eyes during COVID-19 pandemic

Agarwal

Tripathi

Khan

et al. 2022

Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care

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Purpose: The objective of the study was to assess the effect of increased screen time on ocular health during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) crisis. Materials and Method: An online pretested, self-reported questionnaire with relevant details was generated through Google form and sent to participants. Chi-square or Fisher’s exact test was used to investigate the associations between the qualitative variables. The associated risk factors of number and frequency of ocular health problems were analysed by univariate and multivariate logistic regression. Result: A total of 435 responses were considered where 48.5% (N = 211) were female participants and 51.5% (N = 224) were male. Average age of the participants was 35 years. 89% of the participants reported an increase in the screen time during the during the lockdown period. Younger age group reported to have greater screen time than the older participants (p = 0.001) and hence experienced more symptoms of digital eye strain (DES) (p = 0.003). The most common symptoms associated with digital eye strain in our study were eyestrain 52.8% (N = 230) and headache 31.3% (N = 136). In total, 81.37% (354/435) of participants had experienced at least one symptom related to digital screen usage. Conclusion: DES is non-vision-threatening but discomfort caused due to it can have implications on overall physical, mental, and social well-being. The study highlights the increase in digital screen time during the pandemic and the resultant eye strain. There is need of spreading awareness regarding the adverse effects of digital device use and the preventive measures to safeguard our ocular health.

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“…More than 5 h per day was an independent risk factor for DES in studies in India and Thailand. [ 15 , 16 ] Reduction of the duration of online classes and strict parental implementation of screen time as per child’s age could address DES. [ 5 ] While concentrating on the screen, students forget to blink, resulting in frequent breaks of the tear film and dry eyes.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Parents Perceived Digital Eye Strain Syndrome among Saudi Students 1 Year after Online Studies: A Web-Based Survey

AlHarkan

Alazmi

Almutairi

2022

Middle East African Journal of Ophthalmology

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PURPOSE: The purpose is to present the prevalence and risk factors of parents’ perceptions of digital eye strain (DES) syndrome 1 year after virtual learning among Saudi students. METHODS: This web-based survey was conducted in December 2021 in Qassim, Saudi Arabia. Sixteen symptoms of DES were inquired. Parents responded to the frequency and severity of DES symptoms in their wards. The DES score assessed by the parents/guardian was associated with different determinants. RESULTS: The survey included 704 students. The prevalence of DES was 59.4% (95% confidence interval 55.0; 63.8). Severe (scoring 18+) and moderate (score 12–18) grades of DES were found in 24% and 14% of students, respectively. Headache (20.9%), deterioration of vision (14.5%), difficulty focusing (12.5%), watering/tearing of eyes (10.1%), and blurred vision (10.8%) were noted as main DES symptoms. Girls, intermediate school students, students with spectacles, those with more than 4 h daily screen time or who position devices 25 cm or less from their eyes, and those attending virtual class for more than 4 h a day were found to have significantly severe DES grades. Females ( P = 0.16), having outdoor activities of 1+ h ( P = 0.02), 2+ h of daily screen time ( P = 0.24), and attending virtual class for 4+ h ( P = 0.001) were significant predictors of moderate and severe DES. Poor eye health and lower scholastic status were associated with severe DES. CONCLUSION: DES in students after 1 year of virtual studying was high. Risk factors need to be addressed to avoid DES and its impact on students.

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To save our eyes, urgent public health policies are required after the COVID-19 pandemic

Cited by 5 publications

References 9 publications

Impact of COVID-19 Home Confinement in Children’s Refractive Errors

Impact of COVID-19 Home Confinement in Children’s Refractive Errors

Effect of increased screen time on eyes during COVID-19 pandemic

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Parents Perceived Digital Eye Strain Syndrome among Saudi Students 1 Year after Online Studies: A Web-Based Survey

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