The Pan-American Journal of Ophthalmology

ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Year
: 2023  |  Volume : 5  |  Issue : 1  |  Page : 4-

Exposure to electronic gadgets and refractive errors among adolescents: A case–control study


N Inchara1, Sai Monisha Jammula1, BA Praveen Kumar2 
1 Department of Ophthalmology, Sri Devaraj Urs Medical College, SDUAHER, Kolar, India
2 Department of Community Medicine, PESIMSR, Kuppam, Andhra Pradesh, India

Correspondence Address:
N Inchara
House No. 01, G Block, Staff Quarters, SDUMC Campus, Tamaka, Kolar - 563 103, Karnataka
India

Introduction: The increasing use of electronic gadgets (e-gadgets) has dramatically changed the adolescent lifestyle. There are rising concerns about the ill effects of the high usage of illuminated screens on vision, especially in adolescents. Objectives: The objective was to explore the pattern of e-gadget use and its association with refractive errors (REs) among adolescents. Methods: A case–control study was carried out among adolescents attending a tertiary care hospital. Adolescents with REs (cases) were compared with those without REs (controls) based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Two hundred matched adolescents (case-to-control ratio 1:1) were interviewed for exposure history to e-gadget use and pattern. The Chi-square test and odds ratio (OR) were calculated to find the association between e-gadget use and REs. Results: Age (17.3 ± 3.4 vs. 16.8 ± 3.3 years) and gender distribution between cases and controls were comparable. The e-gadget exposure among cases was higher than in controls (OR 1.4 P > 0.05); however, it is the duration of e-gadget exposure for >5 years was significantly higher among the cases (OR 4.6 P < 0.05). During e-gadget usage, sitting posture (OR 7.5 P < 0.05), poor lighting, indoor activity, and irregular sleep patterns were higher among cases. The purpose of using e-gadgets was predominantly for social media and browsing in cases and the educational or reading purpose among controls. Conclusion: Lesser duration, correct posture, and proper purpose of exposure to e-gadget are associated with lesser risk for REs. Results highlight the collective role of adolescents, parents, teachers, and doctors in education and lifestyle modification on e-gadget use.


How to cite this article:
Inchara N, Jammula SM, Praveen Kumar B A. Exposure to electronic gadgets and refractive errors among adolescents: A case–control study.Pan Am J Ophthalmol 2023;5:4-4


How to cite this URL:
Inchara N, Jammula SM, Praveen Kumar B A. Exposure to electronic gadgets and refractive errors among adolescents: A case–control study. Pan Am J Ophthalmol [serial online] 2023 [cited 2023 Mar 22 ];5:4-4
Available from: https://www.thepajo.org/article.asp?issn=2666-4909;year=2023;volume=5;issue=1;spage=4;epage=4;aulast=Inchara;type=0