The Impact of Electronic Device Use on Dry Eye Disease Symptoms based on Age and Gender: A Cross-sectional Study in Health Science University Students

Background Individuals with dry eye disease (DED) may experience ocular symptoms, affecting their quality of life. DED is multifactorial and is related to age, gender, and other factors. While a study may contain examination results of DED symptoms in elderly populations, where electronic device use has contributed to DED, disease occurrence in younger populations, such as university students, remains unclear. Purpose We evaluated DED frequency and risk factors for health science university students using electronic devices during online courses. Methods This study is a cross-sectional study using a previously validated DED questionnaire Computer Vision Syndrome Questionnaire (CVSQ), which contains three parts: student demographics, electronic device information, and DED symptoms. We conducted an observational cross-sectional study of 359 health science students (aged 18 and above) at King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, between October 2022 and January 2023. We collected data on electronic device variables and DED symptoms in this cohort. Results We recruited 359 male (29.2%) and female (70.8%) health science students. Participant ages ranged from 18–20 (62.4%) to 21–27 (37.6%) years old. Participants were asked 24 questions, which gathered information on electronic device type, screen time in online classes, occupational characteristics (smoking status), and associated eye symptoms, such as pain, redness, itchiness, dryness, and heavy eyelids. Based on most responses, the Tablet was the most used and preferred device (85%), with continuous use of the device during university courses/ activities (85.8%). The correlation of the survey parameters was only significantly related to gender and study years with DED symptoms. The highest eye symptom intensity levels (always to severe) indicated burning (6.7%) and dryness (8.6%) sensations. Lastly, a significant association was identified between DED symptoms and screen time, gender, and smoking status. Conclusion DED symptoms were commonly reported in university students who used electronic devices. Our study provides valuable insights into electronic device usage duration impacted the ocular health of females and younger students, aiding in preventing dry eye disease risks and maintaining good eye health.