Background: Individuals with dry eye disease (DED) may experience ocular symptoms, affecting their quality of life. DED is multifactorial and is related to age, gender, and other factors. While a study may contain examination results of DED symptoms in elderly populations, where electronic device use has contributed to DED, disease occurrence in younger populations, such as university students, remains unclear. Purpose: We evaluated DED frequency and risk factors for health science university students using electronic devices during online courses. Methods: This study is a cross-sectional study using a previously validated DED questionnaire Computer Vision Syndrome Questionnaire (CVSQ), which contains three parts: student demographics, electronic device information, and DED symptoms. We conducted an observational cross-sectional study of 359 health science students (aged 18 and above) at King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, between October 2022 and January 2023. We collected data on electronic device variables and DED symptoms in this cohort. Results: We recruited 359 male (29.2%) and female (70.8%) health science students. Participant ages ranged from 18–20 (62.4%) to 21–27 (37.6%) years old. Participants were asked 24 questions, which gathered information on electronic device type, screen time in online classes, occupational characteristics (smoking status), and associated eye symptoms, such as pain, redness, itchiness, dryness, and heavy eyelids. Based on most responses, the Tablet was the most used and preferred device (85%), with continuous use of the device during university courses/ activities (85.8%). The correlation of the survey parameters was only significantly related to gender and study years with DED symptoms. The highest eye symptom intensity levels (always to severe) indicated burning (6.7%) and dryness (8.6%) sensations. Lastly, a significant association was identified between DED symptoms and screen time, gender, and smoking status. Conclusion: DED symptoms were commonly reported in university students who used electronic devices. Our study provides valuable insights into electronic device usage duration impacted the ocular health of females and younger students, aiding in preventing dry eye disease risks and maintaining good eye health.

The swift development of our digital lives has led to a significant reliance on devices for everyday tasks, including education. The adverse effects of these devices on health are the subject of numerous studies and investigations. In this study, we assessed the relationship between answers to the Computer Vision Syndrome Questionnaire (CVS-Q) and the Schirmer tear test for the detection of symptoms of Dry Eye Disease (DED). Qualitative and quantitative data were combined to examine the association between electronic device use and the appearance of such symptoms in health science students in Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional study was conducted at King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences in Jeddah among 111 students from October 2023 to May 2024. DED symptoms were investigated in two steps: first, using the CVS-Q; and second, with the Schirmer tear test under topical anesthesia (1.0% tetracaine hydrochloride eye drops). The CVS-Q findings showed that a majority of students (58.9% of males and 86.8% of females) used tablets for online courses. The average distance at which the students placed their devices from their eyes was between 25cm and 45cm (58.9% of males, 65.79% of females). Most students (90.4% of men, 92.1% of women) used devices for more than five hours a day. Women reported more DED symptoms than did men, especially burning, dryness, and headache (63.16%), while the men mostly experienced dryness (47.95%). The CVS-Q indicated that 41.10% of males and 57.89% of females had dry eyes, while the Schirmer test indicated that 30.14% of males experienced greater dryness. A negative correlation was found between CVS-Q scores, Schirmer test results, and the influence of digital device use among students, by gender. This study found that assessing DED–like symptoms via the link between the CVS-Q score and the Schirmer test may indicate the influence of digital device use among healthcare students.

Background: Electronic devices play a significant role in enhancing the educational experience for students, including those in the health sciences. However, the misuse and overuse of electronic devices can lead to vision health problems. This study aims to investigate the relationship between electronic device types, electronic device screen distance, and dry eye disease (DED) symptoms in female medical students in Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross‐sectional survey was conducted on 260 female health sciences students at King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (KSUA‐HS), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, who voluntarily participated online between October 2022 and January 2023. We collected data on electronic device variables and DED symptoms. Result: Of the 260 participants, 60% ( n = 157) were aged between 18 and 20; 39% ( n = 101) were between 21 and 25; and 1% ( n = 2) were aged 26 and above. Approximately 75.8% of respondents used electronic devices for more than 5 h/day, 65% used tablets, and 51.5% kept a distance of 25 cm from the screen. The reported highest eye symptoms were dryness (8.5%), burning sensation (7.3%), blurring of vision, and watering and tearing of the eyes (6.2%). The difference in the survey parameters was only significantly related to screen distance at 50–100 cm with DED symptoms. Conclusion: The short screen distance of electronic devices has a significant impact on increasing the DED symptoms among female healthcare students who use electronic devices in Saudi Arabia. This study provides insight into the use of electronic devices to improve diagnostic and preventive strategies for DED symptoms.