Usage of Illuminated Screen as a Risk Factor for Refractive Error in Children
Abstract
Introduction: The use of computer and other screen gadgets is increasing among the children. Till about two decades back, children were spending a substantial amount of time in outdoors games and activities. In recent times the use of laptops, mobile, tablets and internet has become a part of the children’s daily activity. Hence, the present study is conducted to find out the occurrence of refractive error in the study group and association between refractive error and usage of illuminated screens in children.
Methods: A hospital based cross –sectional study was conducted among the children who attended to Ophthalmology and Paediatric OPD of KIST Medical College and Teaching Hospital, Lalitpur during the period of 15th April-15th June 2019. A Semi-structured proforma regarding screen usage per day was used as a tool for study. Descriptive statistics and Fischer exact tests were used for data analysis.
Results: In this study group, the commonest refractive error among the children was astigmatism 59(24.7%) followed by myopia 36 (15.1%) and hypermetropia10 (4.2%) respectively. Majority 134(56.1%) of the children were emmetrope and the average duration of usage of illuminated screen was approximately 2 hours per day.
Conclusion: This study revealed that there is no significant association between the excessive usage of illuminated screens and the type of refractive error. (p=0.506) .This finding is against the common public thinking that prolonged use of mobile or watching television predisposes to refractive errors .
Key words: Children, Illuminated screen, Refractive error
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