Impact of online learning during COVID-19 pandemic on digital device related ocular health

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on ocular health related to digital device usage among university students in Lebanon. A cross-sectional design was utilized to examine the association between the pandemic and ocular health. A total of 255 university students in Lebanon participated in the study, selected based on their enrollment during the pandemic. An online survey assessed participants' digital device usage, awareness of digital eye strain, and experienced symptoms. The study addressed the relationship between symptom frequency and screen time, especially in their connection to the pandemic and online learning. Prior to the pandemic, the majority of participants (73.0 %) were unaware of digital eye strain. Following the transition to online learning, nearly half of the participants (47.0 %) reported using digital devices for 12 or more hours. The majority (92.0 %) experienced a substantial increase in daily digital device usage for learning, with an average increase of 3–5 h. Symptoms of digital eye strain, including headache, burning of eyes, blurry vision, sensitivity to light, worsening of vision and dryness of the eyes intensified in both frequency and severity during the pandemic and online learning period. The study emphasizes the importance of promoting healthy habits and implementing preventive measures to reduce the prevalence of digital eye strain symptoms among university students. Healthcare professionals and public health authorities should educate individuals on strategies to alleviate digital eye strain, considering the persistent reliance on digital devices beyond the pandemic. •Increased digital device use during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly for online learning, has led to a high prevalence of digital eye strain (DES) symptoms among university students in Lebanon.•The study found a positive association between the duration of digital device use and the severity of DES symptoms.•Common DES symptoms reported included headache, burning of eyes, blurry vision, sensitivity to light, worsening of vision, and dryness of the eyes.•Education and interventions are necessary to promote healthy digital device use and reduce the incidence of DES symptoms.