Impact of screen time on digital eye strain and visual acuity among medical students in Peshawar, Pakistan

OBJECTIVE: To determine the impact of screen time with digital eye strain (DES), visual acuity, and near point of accommodation (NPA). METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Khyber Medical College Peshawar, Pakistan. This study included 244 students of 3 year to 5 year rd th MBBS, who consented to participate. A Snellen chart and Royal Air Force (RAF) rule were used to assess the visual acuity, and NPA. Chi -Square, Pearson Correlation, and multiple regression analyses were conducted using SPSS software. RESULTS: Out of 244 participants, 181 (74.1%) reported at least one symptom of digital eye strain. Headache (n=87; 35.6%) and eye pain (n=64; 26.22%) were the most common reported symptoms. Refractive error was reported in 98 (40.16%) students, including myopia (n=86; 35.25%), hyperopia (n=12; 4.92%), and astigmatism (n=12; 4.92%). Mobile (n=244; 100%) and Laptop (n=212; 86.90%) were the main electronic gadgets used by participants. Headache, eye pain, tearing of the eyes, eye redness, and itching of the eyes were significantly associated with screen time (p<0.05). Headache, blurred vision, itching of eyes, and eye pain were significantly associated with refractive error (p<0.05). Multiple regression analysis explains a 32.9% variance in the digital eye strains. CONCLUSION: This study reveals a concerning 74.1% prevalence of DES among medical students in Peshawar, Pakistan, emphasizing the impact of prolonged screen time on ocular health. Our study reveals a significant link between screen time and DES, with headache & eye pain being the prevalent symptoms. Associations between symptoms, screen time, and refractive errors emphasize the relevance of these factors.