Impact of E-Schooling on Digital Eye Strain in Coronavirus Disease Era: A Survey of 654 Students

Purpose: To assess digital eye strain (DES) among schoolchildren during lockdown. Methods: An online questionnaire-based, cross-sectional study was conducted. A validated, self-administered, electronic questionnaire was circulated among students of 5-18 years of age. The duration of data collection was from May 18, 2020 to May 24, 2020. Rasch-based Computer-Vision Symptom Scale was deployed to measure the DES. Results: A total of 654 students (mean age: 12.02 +/- 3.9 years) completed the survey. The average per day digital device exposure was 5.2 +/- 2.2 h. A total of 507 (92.8%) children reported experiencing at least one asthenopic/dry eye symptom (AS/DS). The most prevalent symptoms were eye redness (69.1%) and heaviness of eyelids (79.7%). Significant positive correlation was reported between age and per day duration of digital device exposure (Pearson correlation 0.25; P < 0.001). Computer vision syndrome (CVS) score for spectacle users was significantly higher (P < 0.001). CVS score was found to correlate significantly with age and duration of digital device exposure (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Most of the students surveyed, experienced at least one symptom of DS or AS, indicating a need to educate them about the possible deleterious effects and help them adapt to the currently evolving education system.

Automated summary

The study found that during lockdown, the majority of students experienced symptoms of digital eye strain, with eye redness and heaviness of eyelids being the most common symptoms. There was a significant correlation between age, daily digital device exposure, and fatigue symptoms, indicating the need to educate students and help them adapt to the evolving education system.