Zubda HAMID1, Shahrimawati SHARBINI1,
Nayake B Parakrama BALALLA2,
Ted MADDESS3,
Siti Nurliyana ABDULLAH1,3*.
1PAPRSB
Institute of Health Sciences, Universiti Brunei Darussalam
2Jerudong
Park Medical Centre, Brunei
Darussalam
3Eccles
Institute of Neuroscience, The John Curtin School of Medical Research,
Australian National University, Australia
Background:
The increased use of digital devices during the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted
its
impact on the visual and musculoskeletal systems.
This study aims to determine the
combined prevalence and symptoms of digital-eyestrain and related
musculoskeletal disorders and its contributing risk factors.
Methods:
A one-year cross-sectional study was conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic
among computer-users in financial institutions
in Brunei. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed via email, and
non-responders reminded. Descriptive statistics and simple proportions were used
to determine the sociodemographic factors, usage, prevalence, and digital device
related symptoms. Chi-square tests and multiple logistic regression were applied
to determine the associated risk factors.
Results: Total number of
participants was 281 (mean age 36.2 ± 8.3 years, 67.3% females and 62.6%
spending >5 hours daily on digital screens without breaks). The prevalence of
combined digital-eyestrain and related musculoskeletal disorders was 63.8%. The
most common symptoms were pain, stiffness, numbness, or tingling sensation in
the shoulder (87.5%), neck (86.3%), and back (85.4%), followed by headache
(83.1%), itchy eyes (74.8%), increased light sensitivity (72.5%), and watery
eyes (70.7%).
Daily computer use of >5 hours without breaks, independently and significantly
increased the risk of developing
digital-eyestrain and related musculoskeletal disorders
over two-fold (OR =
2.38, 95%CI:1.01,5.66). Only 18.5% of the
participants had regular eye examinations and 58.7% did not consult a doctor (p<0.01)
despite experiencing problems.
Conclusion:
Digital-eyestrain
and related musculoskeletal disorders are highly prevalent.
Efforts made to manage these problems can
prevent permanent damage. Mobility breaks at work, regular eye checkups and
proper workplace ergonomics are recommended.
KEYWORDS:
Digital eye strain, Musculoskeletal disorders, Prevalence, Risk factors.
*Corresponding
author:
Siti Nurliyana Binti ABDULLAH, Eye Centre, Department of Ophthalmology, RIPAS
Hospital, Bandar Seri Begawan BA1710, Negara Brunei Darussalam.
Brunei Int Med J.2025;21:12-21