Asthenopia among university students: The eye of the digital generation

Abstract

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.

The Effect of Lockdown Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic on Digital Eye Strain Symptoms Among the General Population: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…This is in line with the ndings of several studies conducted in Middle Eastern and Asian countries. 14,15,21 Contrary to the hypothesis, manual workers developed new symptoms of DES more than other occupations (OR 1.42, 95 % C.I). The reason for this is that manual workers used digital devices for communication and online services more than they did previously.…”

“…Research studies provide similar ndings, but the symptoms occur in a different order that is re ective of sampling and geographical variations. 15,21,30,31 Dry eye symptoms might not be a legitimate component of DES, as dry eye disease may aggravate accommodative symptoms, especially in elderly men and women, as well as those who have ocular surface disease. However, DES affects people under the age of 18 who use digital devices; this necessitates the need to develop a more speci c and precise de nition of DES.…”

“…Recent studies have found a global trend toward spending more time with digital devices, particularly among younger generations. [13][14][15] In 2016, Common Sense Media (CSM) reported that American parents of teenagers spend about 9 hours per day on the Internet. 16 Similarly, a survey conducted by CMS in 2019 revealed that teenagers spend more than 7 hours per day on media.…”

A study on digital eye strain among patients attending at one of the tertiary care hospitals of Saurashtra region, Gujarat

“…In present study, age-group > 18 years were included which presents more appropriate statistical representation of population, as in today' era, all age-group people are using digital devices more frequently. In similar study conducted by Touma S. et al 9 at Beirut, Lebanon, the gender distribution was 55.4% males and 44.6% were females while Khan A. et al 7 in their study at Mangluru, Karnataka, India reported almost equal proportion of gender distribution.…”

“…Dessie et al 12 in their study found Calculated Odds' ratio significant for number of working hours (>4.6) on computer/day while Reddy SC et al 11 in Nepal found duration of Computer use (> 2 hours/day) and wearing spectacles had statistically significant association with DES. Sawaya et al 9 in their study at Lebanon found significant adjusted Odds' ratio for participants using both glasses and contact lens. AI Tawil et al 10 reported regarding computer vision syndrome prevention, factors such as hours of use, screen distance, screen brightness, and room illumination showed statistically significant difference similar findings were reported in present study in terms of statistical significant association between presence of risk factors like higher average time spent for digital device usage per day, lesser approximate distance of digital device from eyes and not taking preferred break after 30 minutes and occurrence of symptoms of DES (Table 3).…”