Assessment of Knowledge and Awareness About Computer Vision Syndrome Among IT Professionals and College Students

Introduction

Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) alludes to a gathering of visual side effects that occur due to broadened utilization of computerized gadgets (e.g., Personal Computer (PC), tablets and wireless or another visual gadgets). Numerous people experience visual uneasiness and vision related issues while using computerized gadgets for extensive stretches. This may be because of poor lighting, poor seating stance, glare on the screen, without appropriate break and vision which is uncorrected. The serious level of inconvenience depends upon the hours of computer screen use. Eye fatigue, migraine, obscured vision, dry eyes, neck and shoulder torment are the most well-known indications related to CVS.^1,2 Current innovations and visual gadgets immensely affect every individual’s daily life in the present computerized world. PC and other visual gadgets are quite possibly the main creations ever. After the creation of the PC, society has changed radically because of the progress in the way of life. Prior to the development of the PC, not many thought about the external world. With the trend setting innovation and utilization of advanced gadgets, it is very straightforward to know new things and be updated about the present world. Presently, a day’s PC and other visual gadgets are utilized on the whole parts of our life. For instance, in training areas, employment of computerized gadgets, incorporating intuitive whiteboards, virtual learning conditions and internet learning sites made schooling all the more effectively open, even from home. Numerous individuals utilize advanced gadgets for their financial, social network and many more purposes.^3,4,5

Albeit the utilization of these gadgets has become fundamental, we are not following appropriate method of utilizing computerized gadgets and familiarity with the CVS is exceptionally fundamental for each person. It is similarly imperative to know the manifestations of CVS and how to decrease the effect of these indications.^6,7 Advanced gadgets produce blue light, which is unsafe for eyes and can prompt degeneration of the macula.

Purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the information and consciousness of computer vision syndrome in IT experts and understudies and to look at the relationship of CVS indications with the span of PC use. This investigation will assist with spreading awareness amongst understudies and data innovation experts about CVS and its restorative measures during utilization of PC and other visual showcases, to facilitate the pressure and improve their drawn-out work effectiveness.

Materials and Methods

Study Design and Population: This cross-sectional study was carried out through a pre-arranged survey. The responses of 300 respondents were taken, where 150 respondents were IT experts aged 20-55 years from Kasaragod and 150 respondents were from University understudies aged 18-25 years from Mangala College of Paramedical Sciences, Mangalore. This investigation investigated the segment information, span of PC use, related CVS indications. The respondents were chosen randomly at their own will. The individuals who were not intrigued to take part in this examination were not included.

Research Tool: A survey of 27 inquiries in English language was utilized for the investigation. It comprised of three areas in which segment A included information like name, age, gender training and segment B included questions regarding respondent’s utilization of PC or other visual gadgets and segment C included information regarding the respondent’s knowledge about the CVS and experience of any related manifestations.

Data Collection: The respondents were educated about the reason and goals of the investigation prior to obtaining assent from them. Using a pre-planned poll, information was gathered from them.

Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria: Students and PC utilizing laborers, the individuals who were utilizing visual gadgets in any event for six hours or more, were considered for this investigation. The individuals who were utilizing visual gadgets under six hours and who had fundamental disease, migraine or spinal line and focal sensory system problems were excluded.

Results

Out of 300 respondents, 150 members were college understudies from Mangala College of Paramedical Sciences, Mangalore, Karnataka and 150 members were IT experts from Kasaragod, Karnataka. In the given study cohort, 46% (138) were males and 54% (162) were females. Thirty nine percent (117) were utilizing visual gadgets for six hours and 61% (183), including IT experts, were utilizing for over six hours. Among the study population, 74.3% of the study population experienced neck pain, eye strain, headache, irritation and dry eye, 8.3% experienced obscured vision, consuming sensation or double vision while 40.7% of the study population experienced disturbance, tingling, watery eyes and redness. Most concerning side effects reported by the members were migraine, eye strain, dry eye and neck torment (62.7%). Information and awareness about the CVS was negligible among the considered populace, where only 17.7% were aware about the CVS.

The present study demonstrated that about 39% of the respondents were utilizing for six hours and 61% were utilizing for more than six hours and about 116 (77.3%) undergrads were utilizing visual gadgets for six hours and majority of the IT experts were utilizing for more than 6 hours (p<0.001)

The above tables show that the eye issues which were mostly experienced by both college understudies and the IT experts were migraine, eye torment, neck agony, eye strain and dry eyes that is about 66% and 82.7% separately. Whereas the less experienced eye issues were obscured vision, two-fold vision and consuming sensation. On comparing the manifestations experienced by the undergrads and IT experts, IT experts were more inclined to experience the side effects. Table 4 demonstrated that lone least samples were aware of CVS, where 8.7% of both undergrads and IT experts knew the information from the web.

Discussion

This current investigation evaluated the manifestations of the members. Lion’s share of the members experienced eye issues identified with the CVS. Among the study population, 74.3% experienced headache, eye fatigue, neck pain, eye strain or dry eye, 8.3% experienced obscured vision, consuming sensation or two-fold vision and 40.7% experienced disturbance, tingling, watery eyes and redness. The most upsetting disturbances revealed by the members were headache, eye strain, dry eye and neck torment (62.7%). While contrasting the past examinations, it has been found that the announced manifestations were like the indications of CVS. A few examinations had revealed huge issues of visual and musculoskeletal well-being in individuals who utilizes PCs or other visual gadgets for a longer period. They had likewise detailed that the most experienced side effects were obscured vision, headache and redness of eyes, neck pain, eye strain, dry eye, consuming sensation or double vision, tingling, watery eyes and redness.^8,9,10

The findings of the investigation showed that information and awareness about the CVS was negligible among the examined populace of the south area of Karnataka. Only 17.7% of the absolute samples were aware of CVS. Past investigations had indicated that there was absence of awareness about the CVS among the specialists who Table 5: Frequency and percentage distribution of knowledge on CVS Group Total College students IT Professionals Not aware off about the preventive Measures Frequency 123 122 245 % 82.7% 82.0% 81.7% Taking regular breaks in every 20 min Frequency 9 8 17 % 6.0% 5.4% 5.6% Blinking 15 times in 1 min Frequency 4 4 7 % 2.7% 2.7% 2.3% Visit eye care practitioner regular for eye check up Frequency 2 2 4 % 1.3% 1.3% 1.3% Using glare screen regularly Frequency 2 2 4 % 1.3% 1.3% 1.3% Using lenses to prevent harmful blue light Frequency 6 6 12 % 4.0% 4.0% 4.0% Looking at far object every 20 min for 20 second Frequency 2 2 4 % 1.3% 1.3% 1.3% Using proper height and distance from the screen Frequency 1 2 2 Taking all the preventive measures % 0.7% 1.3% 0.7% Total Frequency 150 150 300 were continually utilizing PCs and furthermore, among the understudies who were utilizing PCs for an extended period. Taking everything together examinations data about the CVS was portrayed as regardless of whether the individuals found out about the term CVS and whether they thought about the signs of CVS.^11,12,13

An investigation conducted by S Chandrasekhara Reddy et al. included 795 understudies, aged 18 - 25 years, from five colleges in Malaysia. The relativity of indications of CVS (at least one) was reported as 89.9%, the most upsetting manifestation was headache (19.7%), trailed by eye strain (16.4%). In their investigation, they reported that the understudies who utilized PC over two hours each day experienced essentially more manifestations of CVS.14 Nisha Shantakumari et al in their investigation on 500 understudies of Gulf Medical University, Ajman and Ajman University of Science and Technology, found that most normal vision issues among PC clients were headache (53.3%), consuming sensation in the eyes (54.8%) and tired eyes (48%).15 Ranasinghe P et al, (2016) and Niesluchowska M (2017) had reported that female understudies and PC laborers in excess of six hours were discovered to be at higher danger analysis.16 Our investigation detailed that accomplished indications were generally regular in individuals who were utilizing computerized gadgets over six hours, regardless of the gender and the calling.

Conclusion

The most experienced manifestations were headache, neck pain, dry eye and eye strain. The present study showed that IT experts were more inclined to encountering side effects than the college understudies. The information also demonstrated that there was insignificant awareness about CVS among both college understudies and IT experts. Further, we will continue to create awareness about CVS by performing a drama/ act in front of them and we will compare the data before and after the drama. Limitations of the study were small sample size and selected subject involvement.