Digital Device Usage and Ocular Health Problems Among Non-Academic Staff of Tertiary Institutions in Owerri Imo State

Background: Workers in institutions of higher learning have become increasingly dependent on digital devices, due to their outstanding benefits. However, usage of these devices has been linked with various unintended ocular problems. Objective: To ascertain digital device-related ocular problems among non-academic staff of tertiary institutions in Owerri Imo State. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out, to sample 120 participants being 30% of total population of non-academic staff who constantly use digital device during their work hours in federal tertiary institutions located in Owerri (Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education, Owerri (AIFCE) and Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Owerri (FPNO)). Purposive random sampling technique was utilized for their selection, with all ethical requirements obtained. A pre-tested semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire and ocular examination were employed to obtain data from respondents aged less than 40 years and above, who consented and met inclusion criteria from July 2025 to December 2025. Data obtained was captured with SPPS version 23, analyzed using descriptive statistics. Chi square test was used to test the relationship between the variables and occurrence of ocular health problems at 5% level of significance. Results: Prevalence of ocular problems among respondents was 54.2% (65). Ocular problems detected included digital-device vision syndrome (33: 27.5%), refractive anomalies (22: 18.3%) and dry eye syndrome (10: 8.3%). Ocular symptoms reported included headache (21.5%), teary eye (18.5%), blurred vision (15.4%), dryness of eye (13.8%), eye fatigue (9.2%), eye irritation (7.7%), redness of eye (6.2%), sandy sensation (4.6%) and itchy eye (3.1%). Majority of respondents experienced ocular symptoms sometimes (28: 43.1%). Of the respondents that showed ocular problems, substantial proportion of them stayed off-work (38: 58.5%) for 3-5 days (17: 44.7%). Age (χ2 = 21.56, P < 0.0001) and years of digital device use (χ2 = 15.04, P=0.001) were significant demographic characteristics that influenced occurrence of ocular health problems among respondents. Significant digital device usage patterns associated with ocular health problems occurrence included daily device usage duration (χ2 = 7.407, P=0.025), non-observance of breaks during device usage (χ2 = 7.025, P=0.008), non-usage of device brightness/contrast adjustment (χ2 = 7.025, P=0.008), non-usage of anti glare (χ2 = 7.394, P=0.007), closer distance with device during usage (χ2 = 6.520, P=0.038). Prevalence of ocular problems was higher among respondents who stayed long hours on device (3-6hrs: 45.7%; ≥ 6 hrs: 65.6%), who do not observe breaks during digital device use (60.6%), who do not use device brightness/contrast adjustment (67.3%), who do not use anti-glare device (66.1%) and who stay at closer distance to digital device during usage (< 30cm: 73.9%; 30 - 50cm: 54.7%). Conclusion: Non-academic staff in tertiary institutions in Owerri, Imo State are faced with high prevalence of ocular health problems. Computer vision syndrome, dry eye syndrome, and vision problems (e.g, myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism and presbyopia) were found among workers who constantly used digital devices during their working hours. Age and years of digital device use were factors found to have influenced occurrence of ocular issues, while long hours on digital devices, non- observance of breaks during device usage, non-usage of device brightness/contrast adjustment, non-usage anti glare, closer distance with device during usage were digital device usage patterns that associated with ocular problems. Ergonomic modifications of work environment, sensitization through awareness creation, health education and periodic eye examination/care were recommended as intervention strategies for ameliorating digital device-related ocular problems among workers in tertiary institutions.