RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DIGITAL BEHAVIOR PATTRENS AND MYOPIA STATUS IN CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS

Abstract

Background: Digital screen use has been identified as a major contributing cause to myopia, a fast expanding global public health concern. Understanding the relationship between digital activity patterns and myopia has become crucial for early prevention and intervention as children and young adults spend more time on electronic devices.

Objective:  To assess the connection between children's and young adults' myopia status and their digital behavior patterns. To evaluate the relationship between children's and young adults' myopia status and screen time, visual behavior, and axial length.

Methodology: This cross-sectional comparative clinical investigation was carried out at the DHQ Hospital's Eye OPD in Jauharabad. Stratified random sampling was used to choose 132 participants, who were split evenly between young adults (n = 66, ages 18–25) and children (n = 66, ages 8–15). Individuals with a diagnosis of myopia who utilized digital gadgets were included. An autorefractor, an optical biometer, and a structured questionnaire were used to quantify clinical factors such as axial length, spherical equivalent, screen time, and viewing distance.

Results: Children had significant more screen time (Z = -2.301, p =.042), more axial length (Z = -2.153, p =.031), and more myopic spherical equivalent values compared to young adults (Z = -2.348, p =.019). The positive relationships were found between screen time and myopia status (r n =.863, p <.001), screen time and axial length (r n =.631, p <.001) and between axial length and myopia status (r n =.757, p <.001). Myopia was more common in children (56.1) compared to young adults (39.4).

Conclusion: In the present study, it was observed that there was a significant correlation between myopia status of children and young adults and more time on screens daily. The children were more vulnerable to myopia (56.1%), a longer axial length, and a shorter viewing distance, compared to young adults. In order to prevent the progression of myopia, they recommend reducing screen time, doing outdoor activities, and having appropriate viewing distances.