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

Abstract

Background: Computer vision syndrome (CVS) can be described as ocular-related symptoms that result from prolonged exposure and use of computers, smartphones, tablets, and other devices with digital displays. The main objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of CVS among school-age children, the associated signs, risk factors, and the association between the disease before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Jazan region of Saudi Arabia. Methods: The study employed a descriptive cross-sectional research design. The targeted population was school-going children aged 6 to 18 in the Jazan region in the Southwest of Saudi Arabia. A sample of 440 participants was selected to represent the population under study. Data were collected using self-administered questionnaires. Sociodemographic characteristics were recorded, such as age, gender, education level, parents’ education, occupation, frequency, and intensity of eye symptoms if present. Results: Most of the participants were adolescents between 16 and 18 and at a high-school education level. According to the total symptoms score, the CVS prevalence was 35.4%. Prevalence of CVS significantly affects age, gender, and school level (p < 0.05 for all). A similar significant association was reported between the symptoms experienced before and during COVID-19 and the CVS (p < 0.05). Conclusion: A total of 407 adolescents aged 16–18 responded to the questionnaire (response rate of 92.5%; 407 out of 440). The study estimated the prevalence of CVS among school-going children in Jazan to be low. The main signs associated with CVS included headache, tearing, itchiness, blurred vision, eye redness, eye pain, and dryness. The attitude of children toward their health condition during the COVID-19 pandemic and the prevalence of CVS have a significant relationship.

The Prevalence and Knowledge of Digital Eye Strain Among the Undergraduates in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

“…This concurred with the study of Alamro et al, wherein 69.8% of female university students exhibited CVS symptoms [ 4 ]. However, among school children aged between six and 18 years, the prevalence was lower than the university students, with 35.4% [ 8 ]. Similarly, among Indian school children studying online, the prevalence of DES was 50.2%, with 26.3% in the mild degree, 12.9% in the moderate grade, and 11.1% in the severe degree.…”

“…According to our results, the top five most debilitating symptoms of CVS were dryness (29.7%), headache (26.9%), worsening sight (26.6%), burning (17%), and itching (16.5%), while double vision represented the least symptom. Studies suggest that headache was the most prominent symptom complained by the students [ 3 - 4 , 6 , 8 , 9 , 11 , 12 ]. Contradicting these reports, Abudawood et al revealed that excessive tearing was the students' most common symptom, followed by shoulder and back pain [ 5 ].…”

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

“… 9 , 28 , 30 , 33 , 35–39 Thus, we require more awareness campaigns to increase students’ awareness of CVS hazards and protective measures. 9 , 22 , 29 , 31 , 34 , 36 …”

“…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.…”

“…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. 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.…”