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. 2023 Apr 3;15(4):e37081.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.37081. eCollection 2023 Apr.

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

Tariq M Almudhaiyan  1 , Tariq Aldebasi  1 , Raghad Alakel  2 , Lujain Marghlani  3 , Abdulrahman Aljebreen  4 , Othillah M Moazin  5
Affiliations

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

Tariq M Almudhaiyan et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Aim/background Digital eye strain, also called computer vision syndrome (CVS), is a group of symptoms resulting from prolonged computer, tablet, e-reader, and cell phone use. The level of discomfort and the severity of these symptoms appear to increase with the amount of digital screen use. These symptoms include eyestrain, headaches, blurred vision, and dry eyes. This study aims to assess the changes in the prevalence of digital eye strain among college students in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among university students at different college institutions in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Subjects were interviewed, and the data were collected using an online questionnaire. The questionnaire was composed of student demographic data, students' general knowledge and risk perception of digital eye strain, and the assessment of CVS symptoms questionnaire. Results Of the 364 university students, 55.5% were females, and 96.2% were aged between 18 and 29 years. A significant proportion of university students (84.6%) were using digital devices for five hours or more. The proportion of university students who were aware of the 20-20-20 rule was 37.4%. The overall prevalence of positive for CVS symptoms was 76.1%. Independent risk factors for CVS symptoms were gender female, ocular disorders, and using digital devices at a shorter distance. Conclusion There was a high prevalence of CVS symptoms among university students in our region. Female students with an ocular disease were more likely to exhibit CVS symptoms than other university students, but using a digital device at a longer distance could alleviate the symptoms of CVS. A longitudinal study is needed to establish the effect of CVS symptoms among university students, especially during the post-pandemic era.

Keywords: computer vision syndrome; computer vision syndrome (cvs); dry eye disorder; electronic device; prevalence; university student.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Computer Vision Syndrome Questionnaire (CVS-Q)
Figure 2
Figure 2. Prevalence of computer vision syndrome using CVS-Q16
CVS-Q: Computer Vision Syndrome Questionnaire.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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