Maher Thuraya N, Khan M Irfan, Azzam Noor
Almadar Medical Centre, Department of Ophthalmology, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.
Department of Ophthalmology, Moorfields Eye Hospital and Department of Ophthalmology, Al Jalila Childrens Speciality Hospital, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Saudi J Ophthalmol. 2022 Feb 18;35(2):102-107. doi: 10.4103/1319-4534.337850. eCollection 2021 Apr-Jun.
The objective of the study is to highlight the demographics, awareness of hazards, ocular symptoms, and healthy practices associated with the use of near-visual display devices (NVDD) in the Middle-Eastern children population.
Two hundred and sixty participants aged 4-16 years responded to a questionnaire on demographic aspects, symptoms, awareness of hazards, and healthy practices associated with the use of NVDD.
Daily use, prolonged viewing (for 3 h or more), and the use of multiple NVDD (2 or more) were seen in the majority (79.6%, 90%, and 71.5%, respectively). Smartphones, tablets, and iPads were the most used devices. Symptoms were present in 92.3%. The association between appearance of symptoms and duration of exposure to the digital screen was statistically significant ( < 0.00001). Symptoms were itching (40.0%), watery eyes (31.0%), burning sensation (24.0%), headache (22.0%), excessive blinking (20.0%), dry eyes (20.0%), foreign body sensation (10.0%), redness (10.0%), eye or periorbital pain (8.0%), blurry vision (5.0%), and photophobia (3.0%). A low minority (9.2%) were aware of the harmful effects of prolonged use of NVDD and the protective measures against it; schools were not involved in educating students about the proper use of these devices. Sixty percent attended periodic eye checkup, 20.0% set time limit, 6.9% properly adjusted screen brightness, and 15.0% practiced outdoor play daily.
Majority of the children (90%) were symptomatic when used NVDD excessively. Children are generally uneducated about healthy practices to prevent these symptoms. Spreading awareness among children and parents is important.
