The Impact of Electronic Digital Device on Vision in Children

Abstract Background: Overuse of electronic digital device (EDD) can be considered one of the risk factors of visual damage, one of the most common problems is visual fatigue (asthenopia), and this when affect children may cause a lot of problems in school performance. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate asthenopia due to digital device among children, aged 5–16 years. Materials and Methods: The study included 300 children. Their (EDD) usage and its visual effect were surveyed, and we used organized and self-administered questionnaire. Communication with the target group was by sending invitations through social media. Results: Three hundred children aged 5–16 years, male 65% and female 35%, were using EDD daily. A total of 52.3% have been using these devices for 5–10 years. Majority of patients ( N = 92, 30.7%) spend more than 6 h on phone daily, and those using device at bedtime with switching off light represent N = 165 (55.0%), using of program in mobile against blue light was positive in N = 114 (38.0%). Severe headache was positive in N = 68 (22.7%). Severe eye pain and eye fatigue were positive in N = 60 (20.0%). There was significant relation between eye strain symptoms and (duration of mobile use (years), daily time spent on mobile, and program against blue light, P values were less than 0.001. Conclusions: Digital eyestrain at a young age is a new concern brought on by adolescents’ growing use of digital devices. Our study details the ways in which school-aged children use electronic devices, assesses risk factors for eyestrain, and underlines the need for more research into these problems.