Impact of E-Schooling on Digital Eye Strain in Coronavirus Disease Era: A Survey of 654 Students

PURPOSE: To assess digital eye strain (DES) among schoolchildren during lockdown. METHODS: An online questionnaire-based, cross-sectional study was conducted. A validated, self-administered, electronic questionnaire was circulated among students of 5–18 years of age. The duration of data collection was from May 18, 2020 to May 24, 2020. Rasch-based Computer-Vision Symptom Scale was deployed to measure the DES. RESULTS: A total of 654 students (mean age: 12.02 ± 3.9 years) completed the survey. The average per day digital device exposure was 5.2 ± 2.2 h. A total of 507 (92.8%) children reported experiencing at least one asthenopic/dry eye symptom (AS/DS). The most prevalent symptoms were eye redness (69.1%) and heaviness of eyelids (79.7%). Significant positive correlation was reported between age and per day duration of digital device exposure (Pearson correlation 0.25; P < 0.001). Computer vision syndrome (CVS) score for spectacle users was significantly higher (P < 0.001). CVS score was found to correlate significantly with age and duration of digital device exposure (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Most of the students surveyed, experienced at least one symptom of DS or AS, indicating a need to educate them about the possible deleterious effects and help them adapt to the currently evolving education system.