Impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on digital device-related ocular health.
Indian J Ophthalmol
; 68(11): 2378-2383, 2020 Nov.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-895458
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE:
Since the declaration of the lockdown due to COVID-19, the usage of digital devices has gone up across the globe, resulting in a challenge for the visual systems of all ages. The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of the lockdown on digital device usage, and consequently, the ocular surface health implications and circadian rhythm abnormalities related to digital eye strain.METHODS:
An open online survey was sent through various social media platforms and was open for a period of 2 weeks.RESULTS:
A total of 407 usable responses were obtained; the average age of respondents was 27.4 years. Typically, 93.6% of respondents reported an increase in their screen time since the lockdown was declared. The average increase in digital device usage was calculated at about 4.8 ± 2.8 h per day. The total usage per day was found to be 8.65 ± 3.74 hours. Sleep disturbances have been reported by 62.4% of people. Typically, 95.8% of respondents had experienced at least one symptom related to digital device usage, and 56.5% said that the frequency and intensity of these symptoms increased since the lockdown was declared.CONCLUSION:
The study highlighted the drastic increase in use of digital devices after the initiation of the COVID-19 lockdown, and along with it, the slow deterioration of ocular health across all age groups. Awareness about prevention of digital eye strain should be stressed, and going forward, measures to bring these adverse effects to a minimum should be explored.Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Pneumonia, Viral
/
Vision Disorders
/
Computers
/
Quarantine
/
Asthenopia
/
Coronavirus Infections
/
Betacoronavirus
Type of study:
Experimental Studies
/
Observational study
/
Qualitative research
/
Randomized controlled trials
Limits:
Adult
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Middle aged
/
Young adult
Country/Region as subject:
Asia
Language:
English
Journal:
Indian J Ophthalmol
Year:
2020
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Ijo.IJO_2306_20
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