The 20/20/20 rule: Practicing pattern and associations with asthenopic symptoms.

Purpose: The present work style and lifestyle have increased the digital device use. Therefore, an increase in digital eyestrain is to be expected. We undertook a survey during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic to investigate the practice of 20/20/20 rule and its association with digital device use and asthenopic symptoms. While this rule is commonly advised, little is known about its validity. Methods: An online survey form was disseminated through social media and emails. The questions for eye-related symptoms were similar to the convergence insufficiency symptom survey (CISS). Participants with age ≥5 years were included, with parents completing the survey for children (≤16 years). Results: A total of 432 participants (mean ± standard deviation [SD]: 26.06 ± 13.92 years) were enrolled, of which 125 responses were for children. The 20/20/20 rule was practiced only by 34% of the participants either regularly (n = 38) or occasionally (n = 109). Those who had complaints of burning sensation and headache tended to practice this rule. Among adult participants, more females (47%) practiced this rule when compared to males (23%). Also, adult females significantly (P = 0.04) had more symptoms score when compared to males. In children, no such gender difference was found. Conclusion: Only one-third of participants practice the 20/20/20 rule at least occasionally. More number of adult females being symptomatic and practicing in greater number could be due to higher prevalence of dry eye condition in females. While the symptom of burning sensation could be related to dry eye, that of headache could be related to refractive error or binocular vision dysfunctions.

Determinants of digital eye strain among university students in a district of India: a cross-sectional study.

Aim: Digital device usage, especially during the pandemic, has catapulted into a new age problem, the computer vision syndrome. This study aimed to quantify the prevalence and determinants of digital eye strain (DES). Subject and Methods: A total of 345 university students in India were surveyed in June-July 2022, by a validated tool, the Computer Vision Syndrome Questionnaire (CVS-Q) © in this cross-sectional study. According to American Optometric Association, digital eye strain and computer vision syndrome are synonyms. Non-parametric tests of medians were used to compare the median DES scores, Chi square test to compare categorical variables, and binary logistic regression to find the determinants of DES. Results: The average age of the study participants was 21.0 ± 2.2 years, ranging between 18-26 years with 52.8% females and 47.2% males. The prevalence of DES was 45.5% (CI 95% = 40.2%-50.8%). Any existing eye disease (p-value = 0.000, OR = 0.41, 95% CI = 0.26-0.65), average daily screen time (p-value = 0.001, OR = 1.61, 95% CI = 1.22-2.13) and using gadgets in the dark (p-value = 0.000, OR = 0.37, 95% CI = 0.23-0.61) were significant determinants of the same. Conclusion: Framing guidelines limiting the hours allotted for online classes for university students are imperative, with promotion of ergonomic practices for digital device usage such as blue light filters and night mode on devices.

Population perceived eye strain due to digital devices usage during COVID-19 pandemic.

PURPOSE: To assess the magnitude severity and determinants of eyestrain and the use of digital devices in a Saudi population during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. METHODS: This web-based survey was conducted in September 2020 and enrolled only Saudi nationals 15 years or older. Data were collected on demographics, eye strain related symptoms, severity, and the use of optical aids during the COVID-19 lockdown. The frequency and severity of eye strain were calculated. A Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) score was graded as none/mild moderate and severe, based on the sum of 15-eye strain related signs and symptoms. Correlation analysis was performed for determinants of CVS. RESULTS: The study sample was comprised of 2009 individuals with median age of 20 years. Among those who used digital devices for more than 6 h daily, the main reasons for use were work and social purposes among 68.4%, and 61% of respondents, respectively. The prevalence of knowledge on CVS and the '20-20 rule for using digital devices' was 9.4% and 6.9, respectively. The most common symptoms of eye strain from digital device usage were headache, burning, itching, tearing, and redness of eyes. Six hours of daily usage of digital devices was positively associated to the grade of eye strain severity during the COVID-19 lockdown (P < 0.05)). CONCLUSION: The Saudi population experienced eye strain during COVID-19 lockdown due to excessive digital devices usage. Longer duration of digital device usage was associated to eye strain. Health care providers should educate the general population on measures to mitigate eye strain due to digital devices. Trial registration ID None applicable.

Spotlight on Digital Eye Strain.

Digital Eye Strain (DES) is a clinical syndrome manifested with visual disturbances and/or ophthalmic dysfunction related to the usage of screen-enabled digital equipment. This term is gradually replacing the older term computer vision syndrome (CVS) that focused on the same symptoms found on personal computer users. DES is encountered more frequently during the past years due to the explosive increase in the usage of digital devices and subsequent increase in time in front of any screens. It presents with a series of atypical symptoms and signs stemming from asthenopia, dry eye syndrome, preexisting untreated vision issues and poor screen ergonomics. This review summarizes research data to date to determine whether the concept of DES has been conclusively defined and demarcated as a separate entity and if sufficient guidance is offered on professionals and the lay public. The maturity of the field, grouping of symptoms, examination techniques, treatment and prevention modalities are summarily presented.

Progress of medical undergraduates to an era of computer vision syndrome and insomnia as an aftermath of increased digitalization during covid-19 pandemic

Background: WHO declared COVID 19 as a global pandemic in March 2020. Lockdown and travel restrictions were imposed in most countries including India, to reduce the spread of SARS-COV-2 Virus and reduce mortality. Aftermath of this was that technology has become the only tool for people to interact, communicate and even to continue their responsibilities. Educational institutions including Medical colleges were closed globally, pedagogical innovations including technology and simulation based teaching were brought to the forefront during the current pandemic worldwide. This lead to excessive exposure to digital screen for any reason, be it for education or entertainment. Aim & Objective: To estimate the prevalence of computer vision syndrome and to identify whether medical undergraduates suffered from sleep disorder like insomnia during Covid -19 pandemic as well as to assess the relationship between insomnia and computer vision syndrome in these students. Method(s): Descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out on medical undergraduates with Questionnaires based on Google form. The survey instruments were Computer Vision Syndrome Questionnaire (CVS-Q) to assess the frequency of (i) symptoms of computer vision syndrome/ digital eye strain, pattern of computer usage and (ii) Insomnia severity index questionnaire including the demographic details of the participants. Result(s): The study shows that e-learning by medical undergraduates during the COVID 19 pandemic has given rise to various side effects leading to deterioration of their health parameters. Most common effects were both ocular as well as non-ocular symptoms of computer vision syndrome. Even clinical insomnia of moderate severity was reported by 70% of the participants. Conclusion(s): Health issues related to excessive use of digital devices has become alarmingly high during COVID-19 pandemic. Preventive measures to reduce Computer vision syndrome associated symptoms and Insomnia should also be imparted to the students. There is also an urgent need to make an institutional policy involving all stakeholders to formulate effective strategies to prevent young generation from the detrimental health effects of excessive digitalization during the pandemic.Copyright © 2020 Ubiquity Press. All rights reserved.

Computer Vision Syndrome in Undergraduate and Medical Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) in undergraduate and medical students since transitioning to online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. Patients and Methods: This was a cross-sectional single center survey-based study using a validated CVS questionnaire (CVS-Q). The survey was distributed to 20,080 undergraduate students and 680 medical students at the University of Illinois at Chicago. The primary outcome measures were prevalence of CVS (based on CVS severity score of 6 or more), frequency of CVS and intensity of CVS symptoms. Results: The survey was completed by 2300 undergraduate students (11.4% response rate) and 154 medical students (22.6% response rate). The prevalence of CVS was 77.1% in undergraduate students and 69.1% in medical students. CVS-Q severity scores were highest for headaches and eye dryness, with over half of students reporting worsening of symptoms since March 2020. Increased time spent on online learning (undergraduate: P <0.001, medical: P = 0.018), blue light glasses usage (undergraduate: P <0.001, medical: P = 0.0015), and increased number of device usage were associated with higher CVS severity scores (undergraduate: P <0.001, medical: P = 0.0032). Conclusion: CVS among undergraduate and medical students has increased since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. More focus should be placed on the management of CVS for students in higher education. Physicians should be cognizant of the consequences of online learning and be proactive about providing advice regarding preventative measures.

Digital Eye Strain among Peruvian Nursing Students: Prevalence and Associated Factors.

There has been a high prevalence of digital eye strain (DES) among students who have received distance-learning lessons due to COVID-19. However, in low- and middle-income countries, there are few studies that have analyzed its associated factors. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of DES and its associated factors among nursing students during COVID-19 distance learning. This was a cross-sectional analytical study conducted between May and June 2021 in six Peruvian universities. The sample comprised 796 nursing students. DES was measured using the Computer Vision Syndrome Questionnaire (CVS-Q). A bivariate logistic regression analysis was performed. DES was found in 87.6% of nursing students. Sitting upright (OR, 0.47; 95% IC, 0.30-0.74), using electronic devices for more than four hours a day (OR, 1.73; 95% IC, 1.02-2.86), not following the 20-20-20 rule (OR, 2.60; 95% IC, 1.25-5.20), having the screen brightness very high (OR, 3.36; 95% IC, 1.23-11.8), and not wearing glasses (OR, 0.59; 95% IC, 0.37-0.93) are factors associated with DES. The prevalence of DES among nursing students is high. Improving the ergonomics of study environments, reducing the time of exposure to electronic devices, adjusting the screen brightness, and taking eye-care measures are key to controlling computer vision syndrome in virtual learning.

Impact of online classes on eye health of children and young adults in the setting of COVID-19 pandemic: A hospital-based survey.

BACKGROUND: To analyze the impact of online classes on eye health of children and young adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An observational study with a written questionnaire and comprehensive ophthalmic evaluation at a tertiary eye care center in South India, during the COVID-19 pandemic. RESULTS: Of the 496 patients, most were 5-10 years old, attending online classes 1-2 h/day with majority (84.7%) having <4 h of classes. Electronic gadget use after classes was seen in 95.6% participants and 28.6% admitted to using it for more than 2 h/day. Digital eye strain (DES) was seen in 50.8% of patients of which headache or eye ache were the most common symptom (30.8%). Duration of online class was found to be the single most independent factor associated with the development of eye complaints (P = 0.001). Duration of class hours (P = 0.007) and light setting (P = 0.008) was found to be independent determinants of developing DES. CONCLUSIONS: Increased screen time, inadequate light setting, and excessive application of near vision can produce undesirable effects including the development of DES, worsening or development of new refractive errors and squint.

Changes in work patterns during COVID-19 lockdown and its impact on the eyes and body.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Greater usage of digital devices and change of work pattern as working from home have created an impact on both visual and musculoskeletal systems. Developing an understanding of these changes could assist in providing appropriate care. BACKGROUND: The current study aims to elicit the changes in work patterns due to COVID-19 lockdown and understand the impact of the usage of digital devices on the visual system and musculoskeletal system. METHODS: A survey was designed using Delphi technique and circulated through electronic communication sources using Google form to the working population and students across India, who consented to participate. The survey had components designed to develop an understanding of work patterns, digital device usage, associated visual/ocular symptoms, work-related musculoskeletal disorder (WRMSD) symptoms, and relevant information on psychological factors, and practice of yoga/exercises. RESULTS: There were 1302 valid responses. Mean age of respondents was 24 (IQR 11) years and 548 (42.1%) were male. A total of 1231 (94.5%) reported having one or many visual and ocular symptoms associated with the use of digital devices and 1140 (87.6%) responses indicated WRMSD symptoms. Of the symptomatic respondents, 561 (43.1%) had reported visual/ocular symptoms and 586 (45%) WRMSD symptoms during lockdown, which they did not experience during regular work. Risk factors for visual/ocular symptoms and WRMSD were females, spending more than 6 h on digital devices, taking breaks from digital devices after 2 h, inability to maintain a fair sleep schedule, and inability to make ergonomic modifications at home. CONCLUSIONS: A high prevalence of both visual/ocular symptoms (43.1%) and WRMSD symptoms (45%) was encountered during COVID-19 lockdown.

Eye Strain Detection During Online Learning

The recent outbreak of the coronavirus disease of 2019 (Covid-19) has been causing many disruptions among the education systems worldwide, most of them due to the abrupt transition to online learning. The sudden upsurge in digital electronic devices usage, namely personal computers, laptops, tablets and smart-phones is unprecedented, which leads to a new wave of both mental and physical health problems among students, for example eye-related illnesses. The overexpo-sure to electronic devices, extended screen time usage and lack of outdoor sun-light have put a consequential strain on the student's ophthalmic health because of their young age and a relative lack of responsibility on their own health. Failure to take appropriate external measures to mitigate the negative effects of this process could lead to common ophthalmic illnesses such as myopia or more serious conditions. To remedy this situation, we propose a software solution that is able to track and capture images of its users' eyes to detect symptoms of eye illnesses while simultaneously giving them warnings and even offering treatments. To meet the requirements of a small and light model that is operable on low-end devices without information loss, we optimized the original MobileNetV2 model with depth-wise separable convolutions by altering the parameters in the last layers with an aim to minimize the resizing of the input image and obtained a new model which we call EyeNet. Combined with applying the knowledge distillation technique and ResNet-18 as a teacher model to train the student model, we have suc-cessfully increased the accuracy of the EyeNet model up to 87.16% and support the development of a model compatible with embedded systems with limited computing power, accessible to all students. © The Authors.

Digital Eye Strain (DES) among children attending online classes during COVID-19 pandemic in Al-Madinah region, Saudi Arabia

Background: Digital eye strain is a group of eye disorders caused by usage of digital devices. Online learning has replaced the traditional methods during the COVID-19 pandemic. Objectives: To determine the prevalence, symptoms, frequency, and associated risk factors of Digital eye strain and the pattern of digital device usage among children attending online classes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using an online questionnaire distributed among parents of children. Results: Out of 443 participants, the majority were females (51.5%). Tablets (47.6%) and smart phones (40.6%) were the most commonly used for online classes. The commonest Digital eye strain symptoms were headache (27.5%), excessive blinking (25.6%), redness (25.3%) and itching (24.8%). Severe eye strain was reported among (14%) of children. Children's preference for smart phones and tablets and an increase in hours spent on digital devices were some of the risk factors of Digital eye strain in our study. Conclusions: A high prevalence of Digital eye strain has been reported among children who attended online classes during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Digital Eye Strain (DES) among children attending online classes during COVID-19 pandemic in Al-Madinah region, Saudi Arabia

Background: Digital eye strain is a group of eye disorders caused by usage of digital devices. Online learning has replaced the traditional methods during the COVID-19 pandemic. Objectives: To determine the prevalence, symptoms, frequency, and associated risk factors of Digital eye strain and the pattern of digital device usage among children attending online classes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using an online questionnaire distributed among parents of children. Results: Out of 443 participants, the majority were females (51.5%). Tablets (47.6%) and smart phones (40.6%) were the most commonly used for online classes. The commonest Digital eye strain symptoms were headache (27.5%), excessive blinking (25.6%), redness (25.3%) and itching (24.8%). Severe eye strain was reported among (14%) of children. Children's preference for smart phones and tablets and an increase in hours spent on digital devices were some of the risk factors of Digital eye strain in our study. Conclusions: A high prevalence of Digital eye strain has been reported among children who attended online classes during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Visual Impact of Digital Classroom among Students Attending Online Education.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 outbreak has changed the traditional teaching method of using blackboards to digital devices assisted online classes. Spending long hours in front of digital devices might lead to different ocular problems in children. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among school-going children attending digital online classes during the COVID-19 pandemic. A web-based online form was used to evaluate the impact of digital classrooms on the visual status of school-going children. Children were selected from 5 randomly selected schools from different parts of Kathmandu Valley who had online classes for at least 2 hours during the COVID-19 pandemic era. RESULTS: A total of 303 usable responses were obtained from a response rate of 41% with an average age of 10 years. Sixty-four percent of children had online classes up to 6 hours a day and 44% used laptops for online classes followed by smartphones (38%). The most common symptom was headache affecting 39.3% of the children, followed by difficulty seeing bright light (35%) and itching of the eyes (35%). Forty percent of the children felt that their eyes were affected after online class. Multivariate analysis showed that the total duration spent on digital devices was the greatest risk factor associated with the ocular symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Ocular symptoms and digital eye strain related to the excessive use of digital devices have increased due to the increased duration of online classes. Awareness about the prevention and measures to reduce the adverse effects should be stressed.

Eye discomfort at close work in Portuguese university students: A comparative analysis between the pre-COVID and confinement period.

BACKGROUND: Many individuals experience visual symptoms associated with near work. The level of discomfort appears to increase with the amount of digital screen use. OBJECTIVE: To study the eye discomfort with near tasks in university students in the pre-COVID period and in the period of confinement due to the pandemic. METHODS: Two independent samples of students, aged between 18 and 35 years, were used to assess symptomatic behaviour with the Convergence Insufficiency Symptom Survey (CISS) questionnaire. In the pre-COVID period the sample had 342 participants, 64.6% females and in the COVID period 322 students participated, 71.4% females. The study of differences was carried out by the Mann-Whitney U test. The interpretation of the statistical inference was performed for a significance level≤0.05. RESULTS: There was an increase in the number of symptomatic cases in the COVID period without statistical evidence of differences in the frequency of symptoms reported in the two periods. The dimensions "somatic sensations" and "cognitive performance" were the typology of symptoms that most contributed to visual complaints with near vision. There was a significantly different symptomatic behaviour between genders in the period of confinement (p = 0.001), worsening in females and improving in males. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that females and males exposed to digital environments, over time, may exhibit different symptomatic behaviour. Our results suggest that boys adapt more quickly than girls. Factors that predispose to these changes, aetiology and potential intervention actions still need further study.

Concurrent Rising of Dry Eye and Eye Strain Symptoms Among University Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic Era: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Purpose: Students spend extended hours using electronic devices due to online teaching. Digital eye strain (DES) and dry eye disease (DED) symptoms are both associated with prolonged screen exposure time and may co-occur. This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between DES and DED symptoms and determine the prevalence of DED according to the severity of DES. Patients and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among international students in Chinese universities. The survey was built using Wenjuan Mini Program and distributed using the WeChat platform. The questionnaire assessed participants' screen exposure, the 20-20-20 rule, ED practices, and DED awareness. Computer Vision Syndrome Questionnaire (CVS-Q) and Dry Eye Questionnaire (DEQ-5) were used to diagnose DES and DED symptoms, respectively. Results: 498 students completed the survey, but 452 were considered for the study. Predictors of DES and DED symptoms were conjunctivitis, eye allergy, glares, tired eye, neck pain, back pain, PhD students, and daily spending > 9h on screen (P < 0.05 for all). We observed that an increase in DES scores also exponentially increases DED scores. Among students diagnosed with DES symptoms, 26.5% had mild to moderate DED symptoms, and 8.2% had severe DED symptoms. In contrast, only 8.4% and 0.9% of those with asymptomatic DES had mild to moderate and severe DED symptoms, respectively (P < 0.000). A strong and significant positive correlation (r = 0.695, P < 0.000) between DES and DED scores was found. Conclusion: We found an extremely high prevalence of DES and DED symptoms compared to the previous studies with a similar population group. We believe that the prevalence of DED may be underestimated in the young population. Training about proper ED practices is mandatory to prevent these deleterious ocular surface conditions.

Prevalence Of Symptomatic Dry Eye Disease Among Undergraduate Medical Students After Covid 19 Pandemic In A Tertiary Care Hospital Kanchipuram-A Cr0ss Sectional Study

Background: Dry eye disease (DED) is considered as one of the most prevalent ophthalmological illnesses, caused by a number of systemic and ocular etiologies, including meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). Medical students are among the high-risk group for developing DED during the COVID-19 pandemic, primarily because visual display terminals (VDTs) are being used more frequently for online courses. During the Covid 19 pandemic curfew there is anincrease in usage of digital devices for mandatory e-learning leads to increased exposure of screen time among medical students. Objective(s):The aim of this study to estimate the prevalence of DED among undergraduate medical students. Methodology:A prospective, Cross Sectional Study was conducted among 250 UG students. After getting informed consent all participants were assessed using the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire, Routine ophthalmological examination along with schrimer test and tear film break-up time (TBUT) as a screening tool for detecting DED.The Data thus collected is entered in Microsoft excel sheet & analyzed using SPSS software version 22.0.Descriptive statistics were applied to summarize the demographic data. Chi-square tests were used for comparisons between categorical variables. Result(s):Among the 250 students 104 (41.6%) were males and 146 (58.4%) were females with the Mean age was 21.17 +/- 1.2. The prevalence of dry eye disease among study participants was 56.8% (142). On OSDI classification of severity grading 89(41.6%) students had mild DED, 48(13.2%) of students had moderate DED and 5 (21.0%) of students had severe DED. Conclusion(s):The study highlighted the drastic increase in use of digital devices after the initiation of the COVID-19 lockdown and there is an increase in prevalence of DED among medical students. Awareness about prevention of digital eye strain should be enforced to bring these adverse effects to a minimum level. Copyright © 2022 Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications. All rights reserved.

Effect of long-term exposure of digital devices during the COVID-19 pandemic and on ocular health

Background: The study aims to compare the effect of long-term exposure to digital devices during covid-19 and before the lockdown. Objective: To assess the impact of the lockdown on digital device usage & consequently, the ocular surface health implication related to digital eye strain. Materials and Methods: An open online survey was distributed to people via social media platforms (email, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Telegram, and so on). Result: Females participated more than males, with 58.3%. With 30.76%, the >50 age group was found to participate, and at 13-31 years of age, participation was found to be more with 60%. Most individuals use digital devices for education with 44.2%. Before the lockdown, the duration of digital device usage is not there between 4 to 6 hours, but during the lockdown, it has been increased by 35% due to working from home. 76.3% of participants feel restless due to prolonged use of digital devices. Conclusion: It was discovered that before the lockdown the duration of digital device usage is not there between 4 to 6 hrs but during the lockdown, due to working from home it has increased and headache as an asymptomatic symptom is noticed more during prolonged use of digital devices in lockdown. © 2022 Innovative Publication, All rights reserved.

Effect of increased screen time on eyes during COVID-19 pandemic.

Purpose: The objective of the study was to assess the effect of increased screen time on ocular health during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) crisis. Materials and Method: An online pretested, self-reported questionnaire with relevant details was generated through Google form and sent to participants. Chi-square or Fisher's exact test was used to investigate the associations between the qualitative variables. The associated risk factors of number and frequency of ocular health problems were analysed by univariate and multivariate logistic regression. Result: A total of 435 responses were considered where 48.5% (N = 211) were female participants and 51.5% (N = 224) were male. Average age of the participants was 35 years. 89% of the participants reported an increase in the screen time during the during the lockdown period. Younger age group reported to have greater screen time than the older participants (p = 0.001) and hence experienced more symptoms of digital eye strain (DES) (p = 0.003). The most common symptoms associated with digital eye strain in our study were eyestrain 52.8% (N = 230) and headache 31.3% (N = 136). In total, 81.37% (354/435) of participants had experienced at least one symptom related to digital screen usage. Conclusion: DES is non-vision-threatening but discomfort caused due to it can have implications on overall physical, mental, and social well-being. The study highlights the increase in digital screen time during the pandemic and the resultant eye strain. There is need of spreading awareness regarding the adverse effects of digital device use and the preventive measures to safeguard our ocular health.

Knowledge, attitude, and practice on digital eye strain during coronavirus disease-2019 lockdown: A comparative study.

BACKGROUND: Computer vision syndrome is a group of eye and vision-related problems that result from prolonged computer use. The worldwide pandemic of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) lockdown has led to an increase in the digital screen exposure as jobs as well as academic learning have majorly shifted online. This has caused an increase in digital eye strain (DES) globally. The aims and objectives of this study were to compare the knowledge, attitude, and practices among medical and nonmedical professionals with regard to DES in a background of COVID-19 lockdown. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional, observational, online questionnaire-based research survey analysis was conducted among medical professionals with age- and sex-matched nonmedical professionals. Responses were collected over a week and analyzed. The level of significance was set at a P < 0.05. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software version 23.0 was used for the result analysis. RESULTS: Our study included 353 (50.4%) medical and 347 (49.6%) nonmedical personnel. It was noted that 266 (75.4%) of medical professionals and 268 (77.2%) of nonmedical professionals experienced eye problems after prolonged digital screen exposure. A significant proportion of respondents experienced an increase in symptoms following COVID-19 lockdown with 140 (52.6%) being medical professionals and 163 (60.8%) nonmedical professionals (P = 0.015). CONCLUSIONS: DES is a preventable lifestyle-associated disorder. Awareness among the masses can reduce the adverse effects. Proper lighting, adequate viewing distance, voluntary blinking, and using lubricating eye drops are a few ways to reduce the chances of DES. Further studies are needed to formulate standardized guidelines for the management of DES.

The Impact of Excessive Use of Digital Devices During the Pandemic of Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) Among Saudi Arabia Population

Background: A substantial increase in using digital devices was observed among the population due to staying at home as a result of the quarantine during the coronavirus pandemic. Consequently, ocular symptoms appeared due to spending several hours of screen time per day. Objective(s): The current study aimed to assess the impact of excessive use of digital devices during the pandemic of coronavirus among the Saudi population. Method(s): A community-based cross-sectional study was carried out from November 2020 to January 2021 among the Saudi population. Data were collected by using Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaires for the assessment of symptoms related to dry eye and their effect on vision. A logistic regression model was used to evaluate the association between the risk factors and the symptoms of dry eye. SPSS 22nd edition was used, any p-value <0.05 was considered significant. Result(s): Out of 1573 participants, 93.8% used mobile, 42.4% experienced uncomfortable sensitivity to the light. There were 49.15% of the participants who showed that none of the time they felt blurry vision, 54.8% did not report double vision, and 30.5% who felt a headache recently after quarantine. About 48% of the participants did not have any ocular symptoms, while 52% had dry eye symptoms (mild 22.3%, moderate 13.7%, and severe 15.9%). When the logistic regression model of risk factors associated with severe symptoms of dry eye was applied, wearing a contact lens was the most significant variable (p<0.0001). Conclusion(s): Dry eye symptoms increased during the quarantine, which indicated that the digital device users need to learn more about the preventive measures from practitioners in eye healthcare. More studies are warranted to assess the impact of digital device usage on all age groups starting from children up to the elderly population. Copyright © 2022 Almuhwwis et al.