Investigating the Severity and Risk Factors of Digital Eye Syndrome (DES) in Individuals Aged 4 to 18 Years

Abstract

Introduction: Digital eye syndrome (DES) encompasses a range of vision-related complications arising from prolonged exposure to digital screens. This study aimed to investigate the severity and risk factors of digital eye syndrome among individuals aged 4 to 18 years who come to clinic for eye exam. Materials and Methods: This research is based on a cross-sectional descriptive design. A questionnaire was utilized to assess the presence and severity of digital eye syndrome based on clinical symptoms. Nine clinical symptoms associated with digital screen use were included in the questionnaire. Each symptom was assigned a score: (1) for presence and (0) for absence and the severity of DES is classified according to total score (1-3 mild,4-6 moderate,6-9 sever DES) Simultaneously the role of expected risk factors on the severity of DES were evaluated. Results: Among the participants, the highest prevalence was observed among 15-year-olds, with 55.5% male and 44.5% female respondents. Significant associations were found between the severity of digital eye syndrome with factors such as use of multiple electronic devices, duration of electronic screen usage, duration of digital screen usage in dark rooms, continuous/intermittent screen usage, presence of refractive errors, and years of digital screen usage (p < 0.05). However, no confirmed associations were found between gender, screen brightness, timing of digital screen use (day/night), and previous diagnosed dry eye disease with the severity of digital eye syndrome. Conclusion: The study findings demonstrate a higher prevalence of DES among the 4 to 18 years old population with direct correlation between the severity of digital eye syndrome and expected risk factors.