Digital Eye Strain: A Cross-sectional Study Among Undergraduate Medical Students in UAE

Introduction: Digital eye strain (DES), also known as computer vision syndrome (CVS), is a common condition affecting individuals who spend prolonged periods focusing on screens, leading to symptoms, such as dry eyes, eye strain, headaches, and blurred vision. University students, including medical students, increasingly spend more time staring at screens for study and research. Therefore, this study assesses the prevalence and impact of DES among medical students, a group increasingly dependent on digital resources for their studies. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2023 to February 2024 at RAK Medical and Health Sciences University, UAE. A sample of 209 undergraduate medical students was recruited using non-probability convenience sampling. The sample size was calculated based on a 95% confidence level and a ±5% margin of error, representing 46.4% of the eligible population. Data were collected through a validated electronic questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 29, employing descriptive and inferential statistics to explore associations between visual symptoms and factors, such as refractive errors, study duration, and ergonomic practices. Results: Among respondents, 69.9% were female, with a mean age of 19.87 ± 1.58 years. The prevalence of myopia was 49.7%, while hypermetropia and astigmatism were reported at 2.9% and 6.7%, respectively. A striking 92.8% experienced at least one DES symptom, with tired eyes (71.3%) and eye strain (58.9%) being the most common symptoms. Significant correlations were observed, including dry eyes associated with myopia (p = 0.002) and difficulty refocusing linked to hypermetropia (p = 0.029). Ergonomic practices revealed that 80.4% of students used screens closer than recommended, which correlated with increased eye strain (p = 0.001) and tired eyes (p = 0.044). Moreover, adherence to the 20-20-20 rule was low (3.8%), associated with heightened symptoms. Conclusion: This study highlights a high prevalence of DES symptoms among medical students, related to inadequate ergonomic practices. These findings emphasize the necessity for targeted interventions to enhance eye health and ergonomic awareness in this population. Future research should evaluate the effectiveness of such interventions.