Purpose: The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of Digital Eyestrain (DES), the common symptoms, and the prevalence of each symptom among students attending online classes of standards 6 to 12 during the COVID-19 pandemic and to determine the risk factors associated with it.

Methods: This was a cross sectional study conducted in school children from standards 6 to 12 using an online self-administered Google form. Various aspects of digital device use like the type of device used, duration and purpose as well as the presence or absence of the symptoms of DES were included in the questionnaire.

Results: A total of 262 students participated in the study, the mean age of which was 13.51±2.11 years. The most common digital device used was smartphone for online classes (89.31%), doing homework (89.69%) and for other purposes (60.31%). The mean duration of online classes per day increased from class 6 (114.82±39.31 minutes) to class 12 (213.33±74.52 minutes). The total screen time per day was significantly higher in class 11 (404.21±102.38 minutes) and 12 (469.58±142.60 minutes) compared to the lower grades.

The overall prevalence of DES in this study was 69.08% (95% CI:63.25,74.37), which  increased from 39.02% in class 6 to 100 % in classes 11 and 12. The prevalence was 94.78% if used for > 5 hours /day (p value <0.001). The most common symptom was eyestrain/ eye pain (45.8%) followed by headache (37.79%). The mean total screen time (358.99±112.47 minutes) was significantly higher in persons with DES (one way ANOVA test p<0.001) than those without DES (213.52±77.88 minutes).

Conclusion: The prevalence of DES in school children during the COVID-19 era is very high with an alarmingly higher prevalence in the higher grades of classes which can have long term implications. Significant public health awareness and policies are required to save the eyes of the younger generation.

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Dr Rekha.R.S

Assistant Professor, Department of Ophthalmology Sree Gokulam Medical College and Research Foundation Thiruvananthapuram Kerala, India