Cross-Sectional Analyses of Factors Related to Digital Eye Strain Symptoms Among Children Using Online Learning Devices During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Thailand

PURPOSE: Globally, the COVID-19 pandemic has influenced academic studies. Since 2019, most schools in Thailand have implemented online learning. Thus, several students are experiencing eye problems, including stinging, blurred vision, and epiphora. This study investigated the prevalence, eye symptoms, and characteristics associated with digital eye strain (DES) in children using digital devices. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, a self-administered electronic questionnaire via google forms was used to collect demographic data, digital device information, and DES characteristic information in children of age 8–18 years using online digital devices. The data collection was conducted between December 2021 and January 2022. Moreover, multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the potential characteristics associated with DES in children. RESULTS: From a total of 844 parents, 782 parents completed the questionnaire. The mean age of the children was 12.42 ± 2.82 years (8–18 years). During the pandemic, the most common duration of using digital devices was >8 hours (39.90%), compared to only 2–4 hours (36.70%) before. The prevalence of DES was 42.2% (330/782), divided into mild (29.8%), moderate (8.1%), and severe (4.3%) symptoms. The most common symptoms of DES included: a burning sensation in the eyes (55.24%), fear of worsening eyesight (53.07%), and excessive blinking of eyes (48.33%). The associated characteristics with DES were advanced age (OR=1.21, P<0.001), refractive error with (OR=2.04, P=0.004) and without (OR=6.11, P<0.001) correction, and unknown refractive error (OR=2.85, P<0.001). CONCLUSION: The use of digital devices are inevitable; therefore, regulating the duration of study and entertainment using digital devices, especially in older ages, and correcting refractive error in children, is necessary to ameliorate DES.