Frequency of computer vision syndromes among students during COVID-19 lockdown - a single school study in Malaysia

INTRODUCTION: To determine the frequency of computer vision syndromes among students during COVID-19 lockdown in Malaysia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a cross-sectional survey study. A total of 145 subjects studied in secondary school and pre-university programme were involved in this study. An exploratory survey questionnaire was used to assess the symptoms of computer vision syndromes encountered by the students and their electronic device usage behavior before and during fully remote learning started.

RESULTS: Average time spent by students on outdoor activities reduced from one to two hours per day (40.7%) to less than an hour per day (56.6%) after fully remote learning. Average time spent on entertainment activities using electronic devices increased from one to two hours per day (38.6%) to four hours and above per day (40.0%) after fully remote learning. The majority of time spent on school assignments using electronic devices increased from one to two hours (44.8%) to three to four hours per day (33.8%) after fully remote learning. Increased frequency of students experienced eye pain (44.1%), eye fatigue (57.2%), headache (56.6%), eye itchiness (18.6%), glare (31.7%), dry eye (40.0%), blurry vision (31.7%) and double vision (7.6%) after fully remote learning began.

CONCLUSION: An observed increase frequency of computer vision syndrome was noted in relation to the reduction of time spent on outdoor activities and increased usage of electronic devices for entertainment activities and completing school assignment during COVID-19 lockdown in Malaysia.