Prevalence of computer vision syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Purpose: This review aimed to estimate the prevalence of computer vision syndrome (CVS) in the general population and subgroups. Methods: A search was conducted in the following the databases: PubMed, SCOPUS, EMBASE, and Web of Science until February 13, 2023. We included studies that assessed the prevalence of CVS in any population. The Joanna Briggs Institute's critical appraisal tool was used to evaluate the methodological quality. A meta-analysis of the prevalence of CVS was done using a randomeffects model, assessing the sources of heterogeneity using subgroup and meta-regression analyses. Results: A total of 103 cross-sectional studies with 66 577 participants were included. The prevalence of CVS was 69.0% (95% CI: 62.3 to 75.3; I2: 99.7%), ranging from 12.1 to 97.3% across studies. Point prevalence was higher in women than in men (71.4 vs. 61.8%), university students (76.1%), Africa (71.2%), Asia (69.9%), contact lens wearers (73.1% vs. 63.8%) in studies conducted before the COVID-19 pandemic (72.8%), and in those that did not use the CVS-Q questionnaire (75.4%). In meta-regression, using the CVS-Q scale was associated with a lower prevalence of CVS. Conclusion: Seven out of ten people suffer from CVS. Preventive strategies and interventions are needed to decrease the prevalence of this condition which can affect productivity and quality of life. Future studies should standardize a definition of CVS. (c) 2023 Spanish General Council of Optometry. Published by Elsevier Espana, S.L.U. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/bync-nd/4.0/).

Automated summary

This review aimed to estimate the prevalence of computer vision syndrome (CVS) in the general population and subgroups. A meta-analysis of 103 cross-sectional studies with 66 577 participants showed that the prevalence of CVS was 69.0%. Higher prevalence was found in women, university students, Africa and Asia, contact lens wearers, studies conducted before the COVID-19 pandemic, and those that did not use the CVS-Q questionnaire. Standardizing a definition of CVS and implementing preventive strategies and interventions are important for decreasing the prevalence of this condition.