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BACKGROUND: Digital eye strain (DES) has become a pervasive issue in contemporary society due to increased reliance on electronic devices. This study aims to comprehensively explore the symptoms, severity, and associated factors of DES, considering demographic, behavioral, and health-related variables. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study was conducted among participants with diverse demographic backgrounds. A structured questionnaire collected data on participant characteristics, electronic device usage patterns, symptoms of DES, and its impact on various aspects of quality of life. Statistical analyses, including chi-square tests, were employed to assess associations and significance. RESULTS: The majority of participants reported symptoms of DES, with eye dryness, headache, and eye redness being the most prevalent. Symptom severity varied, with age, daily device usage, adherence to the 20-20-20 rule, and studying with electronic devices demonstrating statistically significant associations. Participants diagnosed with eye diseases exhibited higher symptom severity. While disagreement was common regarding DES increasing stress, a substantial proportion acknowledged its impact on productivity and attention. CONCLUSION: The current study showed that there is a significant correlation between the incidence of digital eye straining and longer screen exposure time. The findings underscore the importance of age, behavior, and ocular health in understanding and addressing DES. The results contribute to the broader discourse on digital eye health and emphasize the need for targeted interventions to alleviate the impact of DES on daily life.
RESUMO
Background Dry eye is a serious public health issue that causes ocular discomfort, weariness, and visual disturbances that can disrupt everyday activities. Dry eye disease is one of the most common reasons people seek eye care. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the association between screen time, sleep quality, and dry eye among college students in Saudi Arabia. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted among college students in Saudi Arabia. Data were collected through a validated questionnaire distributed via social media. Results A total of 1,593 participants were included. Many of them were aged between 18-25 years (80.7%) and females were (65.0%). Females and residents of the middle region had significantly more severe sleep-wake difficulties than other people (p<0.001). Participants with a master's degree had lower severe sleep-wake difficulties than other participants (p<0.001). Participants who spent between 4-6 hours on the screen showed high severe sleep-wake difficulties (p<0.001). Regarding eye dryness, females, participants with a bachelor's degree, and participants who spent more than six hours on screen had more severe symptoms of eye dryness. Nearly half of the participants with severe sleep-wake difficulties reported mild to moderate symptoms of dry eye (p<0.001). Conclusions Our study concluded that university students in Saudi Arabia had significant sleep-cycle difficulties and mild to moderate eye dryness symptoms. Age, female gender, sleep duration, educational level, monthly income, and excessive screen time were found to be associated with sleep-cycle problems and eye dryness symptoms.
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Background The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2) emerged in 2019 and was responsible for noteworthy morbidity and death throughout the world. Due to preventive measures, various adverse reactions to the skin occurred which were associated with prolonged use of wearing a face mask. Objectives The study aimed to determine the incidence and assess the clinical features of mask-induced dermatoses. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted involving both healthcare and non-healthcare individuals in Saudi Arabia. A questionnaire was designed that included mask-related problems, preexisting skin conditions, frequency and duration of use of face masks, type of face mask, and demographic information. Further information on their clinical symptoms was collected. Results This study included 2326 participants. Participants who refused to participate in the study and did not wear masks (232) were excluded from the study. Redness, itchiness, and acne were the most reported symptoms. 37.8% of the total wore the mask daily with 58.2% using their face mask for more than two hours per day. 44.4% of the participants had mask-induced dermatosis. Almost half of the participants (46.8%) had the cheek as the most affected area. Contact dermatitis was significantly less in non-healthcare workers as compared to healthcare workers (p<0.001). Similarly, conditions like nonspecific erythema (p=0.004) and rosacea (p=0.027) were also significantly less in non-healthcare workers as compared to healthcare workers. Conclusion There was a strong relationship between the frequency of mask use and facial dermatosis during the pandemic. The prevalence or pattern of mask-induced facial dermatoses was not significantly different between healthcare workers and non-healthcare workers. However, contact dermatitis and nonspecific erythema were significantly more common in healthcare workers.
