Abstract

The Covid 19 pandemic forced the adolescent group to increase screen time (i.e long hours of digital usage), it became their daily routine to spend time in front of computer or any digital devices. Thus, the COVID-19 pandemic was followed by another pandemic of ocular problems. Aim: To study the ocular morbidity due to digital education with respect to duration of use and severity of symptoms in adolescent age group. Material and Methods: It was a prospective observational study in which online survey in the form of questionnaire was done. Participants from adolescent age group of 10 to 16 were included. After the approval from the Ethics Committee, an open online survey through Google forms was sent to the parents of the adolescent children as all of the participants were below 18 years of age. Informed consent from the parents was taken. The participants filled the form under the guidance of their parents. Results: Out of total 50 participants, 56% (28/50) which was nearly half of the participants were in the age group of 13-16 years. Most common symptoms was headache in 46% (23/50) followed by watering of eyes in 44% (22/50), burning in 40% (20/50), eye pain and heaviness in 38% (19/50). Conclusion: In Covid 19 pandemic, the students were exposed to prolong digital usage which has inadvertently affected their ocular health. Hence awareness amongst the parents and children is very essential.

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