Digital Eye Strain During COVID-19 Lockdown in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Authors

  • Nawaf Almarzouki Department of Ophthalmology, King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
  • Konooz Faisal Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
  • Arwa Nassief Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
  • Noura Najem Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
  • Rayana Eid Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
  • Renad Albakri Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
  • Dana Alhibshi Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
  • Shehana Alwethinani Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
  • Heba Ashi Department of Dental Public Health, Faculty of Dentistry, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22317/jcms.v7i1.937

Keywords:

Computer, eyestrain, lockdown, symptoms, dry eye, vision, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of computer vision syndrome (CVS) and associated risk factors of prolonged use of electronics.

Methods:

This was an online non-interventional cross-sectional studyconducted over the period of COVID curfew in Jeddah city from April to June 2020, through a questionnaire. Participants were between 20 and 60 years of age and used electronic devices.

Results:

Total 1,227 participants were recruited between 20 and 60 years of age. The majority of them were females (69.9%). Almost 1,048 participants used smartphones or laptops. More than half (54.5%) of them used electronics for more than 4 hours daily. A high symptom severity score was found in 44% of the respondents. Taking breaks during electronics use <30 minutes (P=0.018), viewing computers at a distance less than arm length (P=0.001), and the use of screen protectors (p=0.014) were significant factors related to the symptom’s severity score.

Conclusion:

CVS was prevalent among the participants who used electronics for more than 4 hours daily. Taking breaks during electronics use, viewing computers at an appropriate distance, and the use of screen protectors were effective practices to relieve the eye symptoms severity score.  

 

 

References

1. Al Zobbi M, Alsinglawi B, Mubin O, Alnajjar F. Measurement method for evaluating the lockdown policies during the COVID-19 pandemic. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2020;17(15):5574.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17155574

2. Zainuddin H, Isa MM. Effect of human and technology interaction: computer vision syndrome among administrative staff in a public university. International Journal of Business, Humanities and Technology. 2014;4(3):38-44.

3. Ranasinghe P, Wathurapatha WS, Perera YS, Lamabadusuriya DA, Kulatunga S, Jayawardana N, et al. Computer vision syndrome among computer office workers in a developing country: an evaluation of prevalence and risk factors. BMC research notes. 2016;9(1):150.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13104-016-1962-1

4. Noreen K, Batool Z, Fatima T, Zamir T. Prevalence of computer vision syndrome and its associated risk factors among under graduate medical students of urban Karachi. Pakistan Journal of Ophthalmology. 2016;32(3).

5. Sheedy JE. Vision problems at video display terminals: A survey of optometrists. Journal of the American Optometric Association. 1992;63(10):687.

6. Rosenfield M. Computer vision syndrome: a review of ocular causes and potential treatments. Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics. 2011;31(5):502-15.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-1313.2011.00834.x

7. Girard BC, Lévy P. Dry eye syndrome in benign essential blepharospasm. Journal Français d'Ophtalmologie. 2019;42(10):1062-7.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfo.2019.06.007

8. Yan Z, Hu L, Chen H, Lu F. Computer Vision Syndrome: A widely spreading but largely unknown epidemic among computer users. Computers in Human Behavior. 2008;24(5):2026-42.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2007.09.004

9. Abudawood GA, Ashi HM, Almarzouki NK. Computer Vision Syndrome among Undergraduate Medical Students in King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Journal of Ophthalmology. 2020;2020.
https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/2789376

10. Guillon M, Maïssa C. Tear film evaporation-effect of age and gender. Contact Lens and Anterior Eye. 2010;33(4):171-5.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clae.2010.03.002

11. Boyles M. The changing face of computer vision; new studies show that CVS is a growing concern for patients, providers and even employers. Review of Optometry. 2004;141(2):43-7.

12. Bali J, Neeraj N, Bali RT. Computer vision syndrome: A review. Journal of clinical ophthalmology and research. 2014;2(1):61.
https://doi.org/10.4103/2320-3897.122661

13. Tauste A, Ronda E, Molina MJ, Seguí M. Effect of contact lens use on computer vision syndrome. Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics. 2016;36(2):112-9.
https://doi.org/10.1111/opo.12275

14. Reddy SC, Low CK, Lim YP, Low LL, Mardina F, Nursaleha MP. Computer vision syndrome: a study of knowledge and practices in university students. Nepalese journal of Ophthalmology. 2013;5(2):161-8.
https://doi.org/10.3126/nepjoph.v5i2.8707

15. Logaraj M, Madhupriya V, Hegde SK. Computer vision syndrome and associated factors among medical and engineering students in Chennai. Annals of medical and health sciences research. 2014;4(2):179-85.
https://doi.org/10.4103/2141-9248.129028

16. Mashalla YJ. Impact of computer technology on health: Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS). Medical Practice and Reviews. 2014;5(3):20-30.

17. Fenety A, Walker JM. Short-term effects of workstation exercises on musculoskeletal discomfort and postural changes in seated video display unit workers. Physical therapy. 2002;82(6):578-89.
https://doi.org/10.1093/ptj/82.6.578

18. Hassan A, MMK B. Prevalence of computer vision syndrome (CVS) amongst the Students of Khyber Medical University, Peshawar. In Islamabad Congress of Ophthalmology. 2017;15(2):59.

19. Mowatt L, Gordon C, Santosh AB, Jones T. Computer vision syndrome and ergonomic practices among undergraduate university students. International journal of clinical practice. 2018;72(1):e13035.
https://doi.org/10.1111/ijcp.13035

20. Loh KY, Redd SC. Understanding and preventing computer vision syndrome. Malaysian family physician: the official journal of the Academy of Family Physicians of Malaysia. 2008;3(3):128.

21. Al Tawil L, Aldokhayel S, Zeitouni L, Qadoumi T, Hussein S, Ahamed SS. Prevalence of self-reported computer vision syndrome symptoms and its associated factors among university students. European Journal of Ophthalmology. 2020;30(1):189-95.
https://doi.org/10.1177/1120672118815110

22. Blehm C, Vishnu S, Khattak A, Mitra S, Yee RW. Computer vision syndrome: a review. Survey of ophthalmology. 2005;50(3):253-62.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.survophthal.2005.02.008

23. Shantakumari N, Eldeeb R, Sreedharan J, Gopal K. Computer use and vision related problems among university students in Ajman, United Arab Emirate. Annals of medical and health sciences research. 2014;4(2):258-63.
https://doi.org/10.4103/2141-9248.129058

Downloads

Published

2021-02-26

How to Cite

Almarzouki, N., Faisal, K., Nassief, A., Najem, N., Eid, R., Albakri, R., Alhibshi, D., Alwethinani, S., & Ashi, H. (2021). Digital Eye Strain During COVID-19 Lockdown in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Journal of Contemporary Medical Sciences, 7(1), 40–45. https://doi.org/10.22317/jcms.v7i1.937