Impact of Smartphone Addiction on Attention Focus and Eye Problems among Medical College Students

Abstract Background: Addiction to smartphones is one of the main reasons behind students’ poor attention, eye strain, and dryness of eye. In India, 33% of medical students suffer from smartphone addiction, which is closely linked to excessive Internet use. This study explores the level of smartphone addiction, attention disturbances, and dry eye disease among the students. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in a rural medical college in southern part of India among students belonging to both genders between the ages of 18 and 27 years studying in different phases of their medical education. A random sampling of 260 participants was done by lottery method to choose the participants from different phases of medical program. Standardized questionnaires were converted into a Google form and sent to all the students through E-mail/WhatsApp. Data entry was done in Microsoft Excel, and statistical analysis was done using GraphPad version 8.0. Results: Male students were significantly more addicted than females. Dry eye disease, total attention, and attention focus were significantly lost in the addicted students. Conclusion: Smartphone addiction may affect the academic performance and eye health in these young students, and a large-scale sensitization program on the proper use of smartphones as an intervention could bring a change in their behavior.