Effects of digital devices and online learning on computer vision syndrome in students during the COVID-19 era: an online questionnaire study

Abstract

PurposeComputer vision syndrome (CVS) describes a group of eye and vision-related problems that result from prolonged digital device use. This study aims to assess the prevalence and associated factors of CVS among students during the lockdown resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsA cross-sectional, online, questionnaire-based study performed among high school students in Thailand.ResultsA total of 2476 students, with mean age of 15.52±1.66 years, were included in this study. The mean number of hours of digital device use per day (10.53±2.99) increased during the COVID-19 pandemic compared with before its advent (6.13±2.8). The mean number of hours of online learning was 7.03±2.06 hours per day during the pandemic. CVS was found in 70.1% of students, and its severity correlated with both the number of hours of online learning and the total number of hours of digital device usage (p<0.001). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that the factors associated with CVS included age ≤15 years (adjusted OR (AOR)=2.17), overall digital device usage >6 hours per day (AOR=1.91), online learning >5 hours per day (AOR=4.99), multiple digital device usage (AOR=2.15), refractive errors (AOR=2.89), presence of back pain (AOR=2.06) and presence of neck pain (AOR=2.36).ConclusionsThe number of hours of digital device usage increased during lockdown. Over 70% of children had CVS, whose associated factors, including hours of digital device usage, hours of online learning, ergonomics and refractive errors, should be adjusted to decrease the risk of acquiring this condition. Online learning will remain, along with CVS, after this pandemic, and we hope our research will be taken into account in remodelling our education system accordingly.

Prevalence of Computer Vision Syndrome among School-Age Children during the COVID-19 Pandemic, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Survey

“…This rapid increase in screen time can also significantly increase the number of children suffering from CVS. Unfortunately, only limited studies have evaluated the predominance of CVS among school-age children globally, and no study has been conducted in Saudi Arabia [ 16 , 17 , 18 ]. Hence, the main aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of CVS and its allied risk factors among school-age children during the COVID-19 pandemic.…”

Analysis of the Outcomes of the Screen-Time Reduction in Computer Vision Syndrome: A Cohort Comparative Study

“…The prevalence rate of CVS varies from less than 50% to over 90% according to age, occupation, country, and education. [7][8][9][10][11][12][14][15][16][17][18][19]22,30,[35][36][37][38][39] Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic has increased the average daily students' requirements of total screen-hours for online learning and augmented the need for the educational mandated computer system use program. 9,28,30,33,[35][36][37][38][39] Thus, we require more awareness campaigns to increase students' awareness of CVS hazards and protective measures.…”

“…[7][8][9][10][11][12][14][15][16][17][18][19]22,30,[35][36][37][38][39] Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic has increased the average daily students' requirements of total screen-hours for online learning and augmented the need for the educational mandated computer system use program. 9,28,30,33,[35][36][37][38][39] Thus, we require more awareness campaigns to increase students' awareness of CVS hazards and protective measures. 9,22,29,31,34,36 Several studies concluded that the unexplained reduction in the visual functions and performances could be attributed to the smartphones and digital screens.…”

“…9,22,29,31,34,36 Several studies concluded that the unexplained reduction in the visual functions and performances could be attributed to the smartphones and digital screens. 7,8,10,13,[39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47] Electronic devices or screens might be responsible for the emergence of unexplained recent era of deterioration of visual functions and performances with underlying mechanisms not fully understood. 13 Reduction of the visual sensitivity in the dark with smartphone use has been reported.…”

“…The theory of smartphone-misuse has been reported as the main cause of sudden rise in the CVS prevalence rate in the last two decades and several reports suggested that the problem is not with the smartphone itself but in the ways people handle and use the smartphone. [7][8][9][10]19,[39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46] Particularly, smartphone watch in the dark, close eye-screen distance with incorrect viewing distance, small font-size, poor screen-resolution and glare, texting with both thumbs, improper lightening, uncomfortable seating postures, improper gaze direction, use of old smartphone designs, prolonged screentime and uncorrected refractive errors are the main smartphone-misuse habits and risk factors that are responsible for the development of most ocular and extraocular CVS complaints. This smartphone-misuse hypothesis coincides with our current study outcomes in one important point.…”