Impact of Increased Screen Time on Myopia in Children and Young Adults during COVID-19
Authors/Creators
- 1. PhD Scholar, Gujarat University, Associate Professor, GMERS Medical College, Sola, Ahmedabad
- 2. Consultant, Shaleen Hospital, Ahmedabad
- 3. Professor and Head, Department of Ophthalmology, GMERS Medical College, Sola
- 4. Professor and Head of Squint and Pediatrics ophthalmology department, M & J Western Regional Institute of Ophthalmology, Civil Hospital, Ahmedabad
- 5. 3rd Year Resident, Department of Ophthalmology, GMERS Medical College, Sola, Ahmedabad
- 6. 2rd Year Resident, Department of Ophthalmology, GMERS Medical College, Sola, Ahmedabad
Description
Purpose: To evaluate the prevalence of myopia in children and young adults and to correlate its association with duration spent in front of computer screens. Method: The study was conducted on 200 individuals between the age group of 07-25 years at a tertiary care hospital in Ahmedabad after taking consent. Detailed history taking and ocular examination were carried out. All the study participants were provided a self-structured questionnaire to determine the associated socioeconomic and ecological risk factors. Result: Out of the 200 participants examined during the 1.5 month study period, 57 children (28.5%) were found to have myopia. Of these majority (56.14%) were females with maximum number of children (36.84%) in the age group of 11-15 years. Presence of excess screen time (>4 hours/day) was noted in 54.49% children with a simultaneous reduced outdoor activity time. Maximum screen exposure was noted for smartphones and tablets (81.45%) followed by computers (12.28%) and least for television (5.26%). Also, among other risk factors , positive family history (47.37%) was found to have a significant association with prevalence of myopia in our study. Conclusion: A significant association is noted between increased screen time and the occurrence of myopia in young individuals.
Abstract (English)
Purpose: To evaluate the prevalence of myopia in children and young adults and to correlate its association with duration spent in front of computer screens. Method: The study was conducted on 200 individuals between the age group of 07-25 years at a tertiary care hospital in Ahmedabad after taking consent. Detailed history taking and ocular examination were carried out. All the study participants were provided a self-structured questionnaire to determine the associated socioeconomic and ecological risk factors. Result: Out of the 200 participants examined during the 1.5 month study period, 57 children (28.5%) were found to have myopia. Of these majority (56.14%) were females with maximum number of children (36.84%) in the age group of 11-15 years. Presence of excess screen time (>4 hours/day) was noted in 54.49% children with a simultaneous reduced outdoor activity time. Maximum screen exposure was noted for smartphones and tablets (81.45%) followed by computers (12.28%) and least for television (5.26%). Also, among other risk factors , positive family history (47.37%) was found to have a significant association with prevalence of myopia in our study. Conclusion: A significant association is noted between increased screen time and the occurrence of myopia in young individuals.
Files
IJPCR,Vol15,Issue7,Article116.pdf
Files
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Additional details
Dates
- Accepted
-
2023-05-05
Software
- Repository URL
- https://impactfactor.org/PDF/IJPCR/15/IJPCR,Vol15,Issue7,Article116.pdf
- Development Status
- Active
References
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