Assessment of Computer Vision Syndrome in University Students in Peshawar; A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study
Keywords:
Computer Vision Syndrome, Screen Time, Dim LightAbstract
BACKGROUND: An ever-increasing exposure to screen has led to increased prevalence of computer vision syndrome in university students.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the frequency of screen usage amongst university students and to assess the impact of the hours of screen usage on the symptomatology of Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS).
METHODOLOGY: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out amongst various university campuses in Peshawar over the period of January 2017 to April 2017. Non-probability (Convenience) sampling was done by using a pre-prepared questionnaire, which was distributed amongst university students of all study years with ages ranging from 17 to 24. Subjects with known history of diabetes, anemia, hypertension, central or peripheral nerve diseases, congenital vision disorders and those using medications such as eye drops were excluded. Data was presented in the form of percentages, frequency and tables using the SPSS v22 Software.
RESULTS: Amongst the 385 respondents surveyed, the three most common symptoms of CVS that were seen in them were tired eyes at 71.8%, neck/back pain at 70.1% and headache at 42.3%. Relationships were investigated between these three most common symptoms, and the amount of computer screen usage amongst the sample population. Significant (p<0.05) associations were seen amongst university students having the symptoms of CVS and using computers for long hours. A few discrepancies also existed possibly due to small sample size.
CONCLUSION: Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) is a common phenomenon amongst university students. The symptoms of CVS show significant associations with hours of screen usage. Further studies are required in Pakistan specially to find out the all exact factors that can cause CVS-like symptoms.
References
Pearson Student Mobile Device Survey 2015 National Report: College Students Conducted by Harris Poll This report contains public findings.
Loh KY, Reddy SC. Understanding and preventing computer vision syndrome. Malaysian Fam Physician. 2008;3(3):128.
Porcar E, Pons AM, Lorente A. Visual and ocular effects from the use of flat-panel displays. Int J Ophthalmol. 2016 Jun 18;9(6):881–5.
Hayes J r., Sheedy J e., Stelmack J a., Heaney C a. Computer use, symptoms, and quality of life. Optom Vis Sci. 2007;84(8):E738–55.
Bandela PK, Satgunam P, Garg P, Bharadwaj SR. Corneal transplantation in disease affecting only one eye: Does it make a difference to habitual binocular viewing? PLoS One. 2016;11(3).
Statistics c=AU; o=Commonwealth of A ou=Australian B of. Sample Size Calculator. c=AU; o=Commonwealth of Australia; ou=Australian Bureau of Statistics;
Iqbal M, El-Massry A, Elagouz M, Elzembely H, Schwartz SG. Article no.OR.38436 Reviewers: (1) Anil Kumar Verma, India. (2) Gabor Nemeth. Ophthalmol Res An Int J. 2018 Jan 5;8(1):1–8.
Reddy SC, Low CK, Lim YP, Low LL, Mardina F, Nursaleha MP. Computer vision syndrome: a study of knowledge and practices in university students. Nepal J Ophthalmol. 2013;5(2):161–8.
Logaraj M, Madhupriya V, Hegde S. Computer vision syndrome and associated factors among medical and engineering students in Chennai. Ann Med Health Sci Res. 2014;4(2):179.
Bali J, Neeraj N, Bali R. Computer vision syndrome: A review. J Clin Ophthalmol Res. 2014;2(1):61.
Wahlström J. Ergonomics, musculoskeletal disorders and computer work [Internet]. Vol. 55, Occupational Medicine. Occup Med (Lond); 2005. p. 168–76.
Talwar R, Kapoor R, Puri K, Bansal K, Singh S. A study of visual and musculoskeletal health disorders among computer professionals in NCR Delhi. Indian J Community Med. 2009;34(4):326–8.
Sen A, Richardson S. A study of computer-related upper limb discomfort and computer vision syndrome. Vol. 36, Journal of human ergology. 2007. p. 45–50.
Uchino M, Schaumberg DA, Dogru M, Uchino Y, Fukagawa K, Shimmura S, et al. Prevalence of Dry Eye Disease among Japanese Visual Display Terminal Users. Ophthalmology. 2008;115(11):1982–8.
Preventing Occupational Disease and Injury, Second Edition. 2020
Raymond AT, Mashalla Y. Knowledge of Computer Vision Syndrome among computer users in the workplace in Abuja, Nigeria. 2012.
Lie I, Watten RG. VDT work, oculomotor strain, and subjective complaints: An experimental and clinical study. Ergonomics. 1994;37(8):1419–33.
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2021 THE STETHO
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.