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. 2022 Jun;6(1):e001429.
doi: 10.1136/bmjpo-2022-001429.

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

Kasem Seresirikachorn  1 , Warakorn Thiamthat  2 , Wararee Sriyuttagrai  3 , Ngamphol Soonthornworasiri  4 , Panisa Singhanetr  5 , Narata Yudtanahiran  6 , Thanaruk Theeramunkong  7   8
Affiliations

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

Kasem Seresirikachorn et al. BMJ Paediatr Open. 2022 Jun.

Abstract

Purpose: Computer 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.

Methods: A cross-sectional, online, questionnaire-based study performed among high school students in Thailand.

Results: A 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).

Conclusions: The 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.

Keywords: Adolescent Health; COVID-19; Epidemiology; Information Technology; Ophthalmology.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests: None declared.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The mean number of hours per day of online learning and total hours per day of digital device usage according to computer vision syndrome (CVS) severity.
Figure 2
Figure 2
The percentage of frequency and severity of different eye symptoms of computer vision syndrome in students.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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