Impact of Precautionary Lockdown Measures During the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Development of Digital Eye Strain Among Contact Lens Users

Balsam Alabdulkader

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ijovs.20210602.16

| Peer-Reviewed

Impact of Precautionary Lockdown Measures During the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Development of Digital Eye Strain Among Contact Lens Users

Balsam Alabdulkader

Published in International Journal of Ophthalmology & Visual Science (Volume 6, Issue 2)

Received: 13 April 2021 Accepted: 24 April 2021 Published: 29 April 2021

Views: Downloads:

Download PDF

Share This Article

Twitter
Linked In
Facebook

Abstract

Strict lockdown measures were implemented to prevent the spread of COVID-19, which increased the reliance on digital electronic devices in the performance of daily living activities. The extensive use of digital devices was associated with the development of digital eye strain (DES) symptoms, which is more prevalent in contact lens (CL) wearers. This study aimed to investigate the number of hours spent on digital devices and the incidence of associated symptoms in CL wearers during a 24-h lockdown. This cross-sectional study used a self-reported questionnaire to obtain the following data: a) demographic information, b) CL wear profile, c) CL wear during the lockdown, d) total number of hours spent on digital devices, and e) 15 DES-related symptoms. A total of 82 CL wearers (29.6 ± 10.8 years; 88%, female) were recruited. The median total number of hours spent on digital devices during the lockdown was 10. The number of hours spent on smartphones significantly increased during the lockdown compared to that before the lockdown (5.5 VS 7 hours; p = 0.000). DES was reported in 83% of participants. The most common reported symptoms were eye strain (50%), dryness (48%), and headache (40%). The majority of participants (56%) continued wearing their CL during the lockdown. The incidence of DES was significantly higher in participants who were highly engaged with digital devices compared to the less engaged participants during the lockdown (p = 0.001). Prolonged use of digital devices increases the risk of DES-related symptoms in CL wearers. Intervention strategies for CL wearers may be important in optimizing the use of digital devices and decreasing the risk of DES-related symptoms.

Published in	International Journal of Ophthalmology & Visual Science (Volume 6, Issue 2)
DOI	10.11648/j.ijovs.20210602.16
Page(s)	94-100
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Digital Eye Strain, COVID-19, Contact Lenses, Computer Vision Syndrome, Smartphones, Lens Wear

References

[1]	Lu R, Zhao X, Li J, et al. Genomic characterisation and epidemiology of 2019 novel coronavirus: implications for virus origins and receptor binding. The Lancet. 2020.
[2]	World Health Organization: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Situation Report – 73. World Health Organization 2020, (March):2633.
[3]	American Optometric Association. Computer vision syndrome. American Optometric Association. [cited 2020 June 29]. Available at:https://www.aoa.org/patients-and-public/caring-for-your-vision/protecting-yourvision/computer-vision-syndrome
[4]	Hayes J, Sheedy J, Stelmack J, et al. Computer use, symptoms, and quality of life. Optom Vis Sci. 2007; 84 (8): 739-45.
[5]	Portello JK, Rosenfield M, Bababekova Y, et al. Computer-related visual symptoms in ofﬁce workers. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt. 2012; 32 (5): 375-82.
[6]	Tauste A, Ronda E, Molina MJ, et al. Effect of contact lens use on Computer Vision Syndrome. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt. 2016; 36: 112-19.
[7]	Coles-Brennan C, Sulley A, Young G. Management of digital eye strain. Clin Exp Optom. 2019; 102 (1): 18-29.
[8]	Xu Y, Deng G, Wang W, et al. Correlation between handheld digital device use and asthenopia in Chinese college students: a Shanghai study. Acta Ophthalmol (Copenh). 2019; 97 (3): e442-e47.
[9]	Wiggins NP, Daum KM, Snyder CA. Effects of residual astigmatism in contact lens wear on visual discomfort in VDT use. J Am Optom Assoc. 1992; 63 (3): 177.
[10]	Shimmura S, Shimazaki J, Tsubota K. Results of a population-based questionnaire on the symptoms and lifestyles associated with dry eye. Cornea. 1999; 18 (4): 408-11.
[11]	Tauste A, Ronda E, Molina MJ, et al. Effect of contact lens use on Computer Vision Syndrome. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt. 2016; 36: 112-16.
[12]	Abahussin M, AlAnazi M, Ogbuehi KC, et al. Prevalence, use and sale of contact lenses in Saudi Arabia: Survey on university women and non-ophthalmic stores. Cont Lens Anterior Eye. 2014; 37 (3): 185-90.
[13]	Ibrahim NK, Seraj H, Khan R, et al. Prevalence, habits and outcomes of using contact lenses among medical students. Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences. 2018; 34: 1429.
[14]	Seguí MDM, Cabrero-García J, Crespo A, et al. A reliable and valid questionnaire was developed to measure computer vision syndrome at the workplace. J Clin Epidemiol. 2015; 68 (6): 662-73.
[15]	Alabdulkader B. Effect of digital device use during COVID-19 on digital eye strain. Clin Exp Optom. DOI: 10.1080/08164622.2021.1878843.
[16]	The Vision Council. Eyes overexposed: The digital device dilemma: digital eye strain report. [cited 2020 June 29]. Available from: https://visionimpactinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/ 2016EyeStrain_Report_WEB.pdf
[17]	Sheppard AL, Wolffsohn JS. Digital eye strain: Prevalence, measurement and amelioration. BMJ Open Ophthalmology. 2018; 3 (1): e000146-e46.
[18]	Chiemeke SC, Akhahowa AE, Ajayi OB. Evaluation of Vision-Related Problems amongst Computer Users: A Case Study of University of Benin, Nigeria. World Congress on Engineering. 2007: 2-6.
[19]	Ye Z, Abe Y, Kusano Y, et al. The influence of visual display terminal use on the physical and mental conditions of administrative staff in Japan. J Physiol Anthropol. 2007; 26: 69-73.
[20]	Logaraj M, Madhupriya V, Hegde SK. Computer vision syndrome and associated factors among medical and engineering students in Chennai. Ann Med Health Sci Res. 2014; 4 (2): 179-85.
[21]	Gonzalez-Meijome JM, Parafita MA, Yebra-Pimentel E, et al. Symptoms in a population of contact lens and noncontact lens wearers under different environmental conditions. Optom Vis Sci. 2007; 84 (4): E296-E302.
[22]	Uchino M, Schaumberg DA, Dogru M, et al. Prevalence of dry eye disease among Japanese visual display terminal users. Ophthalmology. 2008; 115 (11): 1982-88.
[23]	Kojima T, Ibrahim OMA, Wakamatsu T, et al. The Impact of Contact Lens Wear and Visual Display Terminal Work on Ocular Surface and Tear Functions in Office Workers. Am J Ophthalmol. 2011; 152 (6): 933-40.
[24]	Uchino M, Nishiwaki Y, Michikawa T, et al. Prevalence and Risk Factors of Dry Eye Disease in Japan: Koumi Study. Ophthalmology. 2011; 118 (12): 2361-67.
[25]	Bali J, Navin N, Thakur BR. Computer vision syndrome: a study of the knowledge, attitudes and practices in Indian ophthalmologists. Indian J Ophthalmol. 2007; 55 (4): 289-94.
[26]	Chu C, Rosenfield M, Portello JK, et al. A comparison of symptoms after viewing text on a computer screen and hardcopy. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt. 2011; 31 (1): 29-32.
[27]	Blehm C, Vishnu S, Khattak A, et al. Computer vision syndrome: A review. Surv Ophthalmol. 2005; 50 (3): 253-62.
[28]	van Setten G, Labetoulle M, Baudouin C, et al. Evidence of seasonality and effects of psychrometry in dry eye disease. Acta Ophthalmol (Copenh). 2016; 94 (5): 499-506.
[29]	Maruyama K, Yokoi N, Takamata A, et al. Effect of environmental conditions on tear dynamics in soft contact lens wearers. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2004; 45 (8): 2563-8.
[30]	Alshamrani AA, Almousa AS, Almulhim AA, et al. Prevalence and Risk Factors of Dry Eye Symptoms in a Saudi Arabian Population. Middle East Afr J Ophthalmol. 2017; 24 (2): 67-73.
[31]	Reddy SC, Low CK, Lim YP, et al. Computer vision syndrome: a study of knowledge and practices in university students. Nepal J Ophthalmol. 2013; 5 (2): 161-8.
[32]	Schlote T, Kadner G, Freudenthaler N. Marked reduction and distinct patterns of eye blinking in patients with moderately dry eyes during video display terminal use. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2004; 242 (4): 306-12.
[33]	Rosenfield M. Computer vision syndrome: a review of ocular causes and potential treatments. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt. 2011; 31 (5): 502-15.
[34]	Guillon M, Maissa C, Pouliquen P, Delval L. Effect of povidone 2% preservative-free eyedrops on contact lens wearers with computer visual syndrome: Pilot study. Eye and Contact Lens. 2004; 30 (1): 34-39.
[35]	Acosta MC, Gallar J, Belmonte C. The influence of eye solutions on blinking and ocular comfort at rest and during work at video display terminals. Exp Eye Res. 1999.
[36]	García-Ayuso D, Escámez-Torrecilla M, Galindo-Romero C, et al. Influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on contact lens wear in Spain. Cont Lens Anterior Eye. 2020: 1-6.
[37]	Morgan PB. Contact lens wear during the COVID-19 pandemic. Cont Lens Anterior Eye. 2020; 43 (3): 213.
[38]	Jones L, Walsh K, Willcox M, et al. The COVID-19 pandemic: Important considerations for contact lens practitioners. Cont Lens Anterior Eye. 2020; 43 (3): 196-203.
[39]	Bostanci Ceran B, Ozates S. Ocular manifestations of coronavirus disease 2019. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2020: 1-5.
[40]	Seah IYJ, Anderson DE, Kang AEZ, et al. Assessing Viral Shedding and Infectivity of Tears in Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Patients. Ophthalmology. 2020; 2019-21.

Cite This Article

Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Balsam Alabdulkader. (2021). Impact of Precautionary Lockdown Measures During the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Development of Digital Eye Strain Among Contact Lens Users. International Journal of Ophthalmology & Visual Science, 6(2), 94-100. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijovs.20210602.16

Copy | Download

ACS Style

Balsam Alabdulkader. Impact of Precautionary Lockdown Measures During the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Development of Digital Eye Strain Among Contact Lens Users. Int. J. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2021, 6(2), 94-100. doi: 10.11648/j.ijovs.20210602.16

Copy | Download

AMA Style

Balsam Alabdulkader. Impact of Precautionary Lockdown Measures During the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Development of Digital Eye Strain Among Contact Lens Users. Int J Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2021;6(2):94-100. doi: 10.11648/j.ijovs.20210602.16

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ijovs.20210602.16,
  author = {Balsam Alabdulkader},
  title = {Impact of Precautionary Lockdown Measures During the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Development of Digital Eye Strain Among Contact Lens Users},
  journal = {International Journal of Ophthalmology & Visual Science},
  volume = {6},
  number = {2},
  pages = {94-100},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijovs.20210602.16},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijovs.20210602.16},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijovs.20210602.16},
  abstract = {Strict lockdown measures were implemented to prevent the spread of COVID-19, which increased the reliance on digital electronic devices in the performance of daily living activities. The extensive use of digital devices was associated with the development of digital eye strain (DES) symptoms, which is more prevalent in contact lens (CL) wearers. This study aimed to investigate the number of hours spent on digital devices and the incidence of associated symptoms in CL wearers during a 24-h lockdown. This cross-sectional study used a self-reported questionnaire to obtain the following data: a) demographic information, b) CL wear profile, c) CL wear during the lockdown, d) total number of hours spent on digital devices, and e) 15 DES-related symptoms. A total of 82 CL wearers (29.6 ± 10.8 years; 88%, female) were recruited. The median total number of hours spent on digital devices during the lockdown was 10. The number of hours spent on smartphones significantly increased during the lockdown compared to that before the lockdown (5.5 VS 7 hours; p = 0.000). DES was reported in 83% of participants. The most common reported symptoms were eye strain (50%), dryness (48%), and headache (40%). The majority of participants (56%) continued wearing their CL during the lockdown. The incidence of DES was significantly higher in participants who were highly engaged with digital devices compared to the less engaged participants during the lockdown (p = 0.001). Prolonged use of digital devices increases the risk of DES-related symptoms in CL wearers. Intervention strategies for CL wearers may be important in optimizing the use of digital devices and decreasing the risk of DES-related symptoms.},
 year = {2021}
}

Copy | Download

TY - JOUR
T1 - Impact of Precautionary Lockdown Measures During the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Development of Digital Eye Strain Among Contact Lens Users
AU - Balsam Alabdulkader
Y1 - 2021/04/29
PY - 2021
N1 - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijovs.20210602.16
DO - 10.11648/j.ijovs.20210602.16
T2 - International Journal of Ophthalmology & Visual Science
JF - International Journal of Ophthalmology & Visual Science
JO - International Journal of Ophthalmology & Visual Science
SP - 94
EP - 100
PB - Science Publishing Group
SN - 2637-3858
UR - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijovs.20210602.16
AB - Strict lockdown measures were implemented to prevent the spread of COVID-19, which increased the reliance on digital electronic devices in the performance of daily living activities. The extensive use of digital devices was associated with the development of digital eye strain (DES) symptoms, which is more prevalent in contact lens (CL) wearers. This study aimed to investigate the number of hours spent on digital devices and the incidence of associated symptoms in CL wearers during a 24-h lockdown. This cross-sectional study used a self-reported questionnaire to obtain the following data: a) demographic information, b) CL wear profile, c) CL wear during the lockdown, d) total number of hours spent on digital devices, and e) 15 DES-related symptoms. A total of 82 CL wearers (29.6 ± 10.8 years; 88%, female) were recruited. The median total number of hours spent on digital devices during the lockdown was 10. The number of hours spent on smartphones significantly increased during the lockdown compared to that before the lockdown (5.5 VS 7 hours; p = 0.000). DES was reported in 83% of participants. The most common reported symptoms were eye strain (50%), dryness (48%), and headache (40%). The majority of participants (56%) continued wearing their CL during the lockdown. The incidence of DES was significantly higher in participants who were highly engaged with digital devices compared to the less engaged participants during the lockdown (p = 0.001). Prolonged use of digital devices increases the risk of DES-related symptoms in CL wearers. Intervention strategies for CL wearers may be important in optimizing the use of digital devices and decreasing the risk of DES-related symptoms.
VL - 6
IS - 2
ER -

Copy | Download

Author Information

Balsam Alabdulkader

Optometry and Vision Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Download PDF

Sections

Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Balsam Alabdulkader. (2021). Impact of Precautionary Lockdown Measures During the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Development of Digital Eye Strain Among Contact Lens Users. International Journal of Ophthalmology & Visual Science, 6(2), 94-100. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijovs.20210602.16

Copy | Download

ACS Style

Balsam Alabdulkader. Impact of Precautionary Lockdown Measures During the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Development of Digital Eye Strain Among Contact Lens Users. Int. J. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2021, 6(2), 94-100. doi: 10.11648/j.ijovs.20210602.16

Copy | Download

AMA Style

Balsam Alabdulkader. Impact of Precautionary Lockdown Measures During the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Development of Digital Eye Strain Among Contact Lens Users. Int J Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2021;6(2):94-100. doi: 10.11648/j.ijovs.20210602.16

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ijovs.20210602.16,
  author = {Balsam Alabdulkader},
  title = {Impact of Precautionary Lockdown Measures During the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Development of Digital Eye Strain Among Contact Lens Users},
  journal = {International Journal of Ophthalmology & Visual Science},
  volume = {6},
  number = {2},
  pages = {94-100},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijovs.20210602.16},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijovs.20210602.16},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijovs.20210602.16},
  abstract = {Strict lockdown measures were implemented to prevent the spread of COVID-19, which increased the reliance on digital electronic devices in the performance of daily living activities. The extensive use of digital devices was associated with the development of digital eye strain (DES) symptoms, which is more prevalent in contact lens (CL) wearers. This study aimed to investigate the number of hours spent on digital devices and the incidence of associated symptoms in CL wearers during a 24-h lockdown. This cross-sectional study used a self-reported questionnaire to obtain the following data: a) demographic information, b) CL wear profile, c) CL wear during the lockdown, d) total number of hours spent on digital devices, and e) 15 DES-related symptoms. A total of 82 CL wearers (29.6 ± 10.8 years; 88%, female) were recruited. The median total number of hours spent on digital devices during the lockdown was 10. The number of hours spent on smartphones significantly increased during the lockdown compared to that before the lockdown (5.5 VS 7 hours; p = 0.000). DES was reported in 83% of participants. The most common reported symptoms were eye strain (50%), dryness (48%), and headache (40%). The majority of participants (56%) continued wearing their CL during the lockdown. The incidence of DES was significantly higher in participants who were highly engaged with digital devices compared to the less engaged participants during the lockdown (p = 0.001). Prolonged use of digital devices increases the risk of DES-related symptoms in CL wearers. Intervention strategies for CL wearers may be important in optimizing the use of digital devices and decreasing the risk of DES-related symptoms.},
 year = {2021}
}

Copy | Download