Prevalence of digital eye strain among medical students during covid-19 pandemic

Background: Students worldwide may now be at risk for developing digital eyestrain due to increased use of digital gadgets and mandatory e-learning requirements imposed during the Covid-19 pandemic curfew. Aim: The study's objectives were to evaluate the prevalence of digital eyestrain among medical students as well as the amount of time spent on screens for e-learning and social media use. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted among 117 undergraduate medical students studying in KMCH, Guntur in May, 2021. A pre-designed, semi-structured questionnaire was made available digitally as a Google Form to collect data. Results: Eyestrain symptoms were more common in students, with 53% of students complaining of aesthenopia and 1.70% students complaining of double vision. Aesthenopic symptoms were the most prevalent symptom among the students. The next most prevalent symptom was a headache, which was followed by light sensitivity, tearing, dry eyes, blurred vision, stinging, itching, redness, and diplopia. Conclusion: The majority of students had digital eye strain, with eye fatigue and headaches being the most often reported symptoms. Efforts should be made to increase awareness of and prevent digital eyestrain in order to safeguard eye health and lessen this workplace threat.