Clinical Ophthalmology (Sep 2022)

Prevalence of Asthenopia and Its Relationship with Electronic Screen Usage During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Jazan, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

  • Abuallut I,
  • Qumayi EA,
  • Mohana AJ,
  • Almalki NM,
  • Ghilan ME,
  • Dallak FH,
  • Mahzari SM,
  • Makrami A,
  • Tawhari A,
  • Ajeebi RE,
  • Bakri SM

Journal volume & issue
Vol. Volume 16
pp. 3165 – 3174

Abstract

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Ismail Abuallut,1 Elham A Qumayi,2 Azah Jabir Mohana,3 Norah M Almalki,2 Majdah E Ghilan,2 Fatimah H Dallak,2 Sarah Mohammed Mahzari,2 Almoayad Makrami,4 Amal Tawhari,2 Reham Eissa Ajeebi,2 Sultan Mousa Bakri4 1Department of Surgery, Ophthalmology Division, College of Medicine, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia; 2College of Medicine, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia; 3Jazan University Hospital, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia; 4Ophthalmology Department, Prince Mohammed bin Naser Hospital, Jazan, Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Ismail Abuallut, Department of Surgery, Ophthalmology Division, College of Medicine, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia, Email [email protected]: To assess the connection between the prevalence of asthenopia and the use of electronic devices in Jazan, Saudi Arabia, during the COVID-19 pandemic.Patients and Methods: Asthenopia prevalence and its connection to electronic screens during the COVID-19 pandemic were evaluated in an analytical, cross-sectional investigation among the Jazan population. The sample population included 784 participants. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a pre-tested, organized, and self-administered questionnaire was used as the study method. Social media invitations were used to contact the sample group.Results: Of the 784 participants, 587 (74.96%) had asthenopia symptoms after using digital devices at the end of the day. A total of 56.30% used digital gadgets for > 6 hours each day, whereas 55.36% spent < 2 hours per day reading papers or books or writing. Daily usage of digital gadgets did not significantly differ from asthenopia (p=0.46), as well as reading papers, books, or writing and asthenopia (p=0.098). A total of 45.92% of the study population maintained digital devices/books at a distance < 25 cm, which was significantly associated with symptoms of asthenopia (p=0.048). Furthermore, 90.10% of the sample population used laptops, cellphones, and iPads before going to bed or after turning off lights. A total of 63.52% preferred using devices while lying in bed. There was no positive link between asthenopia symptoms and cellphone usage at bedtime or after turning off lights (p=0.028).Conclusion: Digital technology is used by people of all ages for a wide range of daily activities, including education, employment, business, and recreation. We concluded that this group had a high prevalence of asthenopia, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. The high frequency of asthenopia emphasizes the significance of conducting public awareness campaigns concerning asthenopia symptoms and prevention methods.Keywords: asthenopia, video display terminals, mobile phones, coronavirus disease, computer vision syndrome

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