Abstract
Background: The advent of the COVID-19 brought about a shift in the mode of learning from contact learning to online learning, and an increased usage of computers and smartphones for school work. The stress, along with the considerable close-up work required by online schools, can cause eye problems with symptoms like dry eyes, watery eyes, itching, and headaches among university students. This study accessed the association between increased screen time and eye defects with special focus on Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) in the North West University, Mahikeng, South Africa.
Methods: The study used a cross-sectional design. The study population included all NWU students who attended online classes during the lockdown. The study had a sample of 349 participants; data were collected using open-ended questionnaires. Data analysis was conducted using the STATA software; univariate and multiple logistic regression analysis were conducted to assess the strengths of the associations.
Results: Female students were more likely to report CVS than male students (OR = 1.70, 95% CI: 1.07-2.67, p =0.023). Students within the age group 26-35 were less likely to report CVS as compared to students within the age group 18-25 (OR = 0.40, 95% CI: 0.22-0.72, p =0.002). Postgraduate students were less likely to report CVS than undergraduate students (COR = 0.41, 95% CI: 0.25-0.67, p <0.001). Students with more than one gadget were more likely to report having CVS, 2 gadgets (OR = 2.73, 95% CI: 1.32-5.62, p=0.007) and >2 gadgets (OR = 2.47, 95% CI: 0.99-6.14, p= 0.005). Students with a family history of eye-defect were more likely to report eye defects (OR = 2.59, 95% CI: 1.53-4.38. p<0.001). The prevalence of CVS among students was 68%, a higher prevalence of CVS was found among female students (63%) compared to male students (37%). The higher prevalence observed among female students were possibly due to their ocular tissues having sex steroid hormone receptors that respond to the direct regulation of these hormones which naturally makes them more at risk.
Conclusion: The increased use of computers has affected university students in recent times and so frequent pauses during screen use using customized Apps or the 20-20-20 rule (to focus on a distance of 20 feet every 20 minutes for 20 seconds) should be performed by students during the use of their gadgets. Recommendations were made for the educational policies to include eye clinics in all universities to encourage students to perform regular visits.