USE OF DIGITAL GADGETS LEADING TO THE COMPUTER VISION SYNDROME- A LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Abstract

Digital eye strain (DES) refers to the visual and ocular problems caused by continuous usage of digital electronic gadgets. It is characterized by dry eyes, itching, foreign body sensation, watering, blurred vision, and headache. Eye strain can cause non-ocular symptoms such as stiff neck, fatigue, headaches, and back pain. Prior to COVID-19, prevalence ranged from 5 to 65%. During the epidemic, lockdown restrictions limited outdoor activities for all age groups, and digital learning became the norm for nearly two years. While the prevalence of DES in youngsters increased to 50-60%, the symptoms broadened to include recent onset esotropia and vergence abnormalities. New-onset myopia and the development of pre-existing myopia have emerged as major eye health concerns. Education is another subject that has undergone a paradigm shift toward online implementation. Video conferencing services like Zoom and Google Meet have been used by schools, colleges, and institutions around the world, and digital devices have become the sole source of entertainment.

To prevent eye strain, management includes following correct ergonomics such as limiting average daily screen time, frequent blinking, enhancing lighting, eliminating glare, taking regular pauses from the screen, intermittently changing focus to a distance object, and adhering to the 20/20-20 rule. High-resolution screens, built-in antireflective coatings, matte-finished glass, edge-to-edge displays, and picture smoothing visual effects are all examples of innovations in this discipline.

A paradigm shift is essential in our understanding of DES from an etiological standpoint and to know the objective of this letter is to comprehend the risk factors.