Pattern of visual display terminals usage and eye effects among primary school children in Egypt

Abstract

Purpose The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of visual display terminals (VDTs) use among primary school children. Patients and methods A school-based prospective observational cross-sectional comparative study was carried out on two groups of primary school children in Egypt, in the period between January and April 2016. History of using VDTs in different patterns was documented together with the associated different eye complaints, whether visual or nonvisual. External eye examination, red reflex, visual acuity, and noncycloplegic refraction were performed. Results The current study included 1075 children in grades 3–6 of primary schools. Their age ranged from 9 to 13 years. The usage of different types of VDTs in private school children was highly significant than in governmental ones (P=0.00001). The computer vision syndrome was significantly higher in private school students (P=0.01). However, the detected visual errors had a nonsignificant association with children using VDTs (P=0.25). Conclusion There was a high significant association between certain patterns of VDTs usage in primary school children and certain ocular complaints such as headache and eye fatigue. Visual errors could be measured easily in children, with nonsignificant association with VDTs users.