Ocular Exercise on Computer Vision Syndrome
Sahaya Hestrin. S1, Angel Priya. T2, Celin Rebecca. V3, Joshia Mancy. M3, Pradeep Kumar. M3, Prince. J3, Ramya. S3, Rithu Francis. F3, Saranya Manju. C3
1MSc (N), Assistant Professor, Medical Surgical Nursing Department,
The Salvation Army Catherine Booth College of Nursing, Nagercoil.
2Professor Cum Principal, The Salvation Army Catherine Booth College of Nursing, Nagercoil.
3B.SC (N) 4th Year Students, The Salvation Army Catherine Booth College of Nursing, Nagercoil.
*Corresponding Author E-mail: sacbcn.sahayahestrin@gmail.com
ABSTRACT:
Computer vision syndrome is the combination of eye and vision problems associated with the use of computers. Computer Vision Syndrome may have a significant impact not only on visual comfort but also occupational productivity. Common computer vision syndrome manifestations include eye strain, headaches, blurred vision, and neck or shoulder pain. Pre-experimental research was done to assess the effectiveness of ocular exercises on computer vision syndrome. Purposive sampling technique was followed to select 30 staff from the salvation Army Catherine Booth College of nursing. Visual rating scale was used to assess symptoms of computer vision syndrome. Ocular exercises were provided as 2 sessions, each session for 15-20 minutes per day for 7 days. The study revealed that there was significant difference between pre- and post- test level of symptoms (t = 2.20 at p< 0.05) significance. Thus, ocular exercise is found to be an effective non pharmacological therapy in reducing symptoms of Computer Vision Syndrome.
KEYWORDS: Computer vision syndrome, Ocular Exercise, Effectiveness, Non-pharmacological therapy, Occupational productivity.
INTRODUCTION:
Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) is defined as a complex eye discomfort condition in the form of visual impairment symptoms caused by prolonged exposure to digital displays1. Visual fatigue (VF) and digital eye strain (DES) terms are also used for CVS, reflecting the different digital devices related to potential health problems2.
Globally it is estimated that around 60 million people experience this syndrome, with a million new cases identified each year. The increased use of computers benefits a variety of professional tasks but at the same time causes eye symptoms related to their usage3.
Prolonged use of computers can lead to complications, such as eye strain and other problems. Individuals spend more time on electronic devices such as computers, laptops, smartphones, tablets, and e-readers, which contribute to CVS4. Although CVS is becoming a major public health problem, less emphasis is given, particularly in developing countries. Eye exercises such as palming, blinking exercises, eye movements are types of relaxing techniques that can be used for relaxing eye muscles5. This study was performed among professionals working for long hours in computers. These ocular exercises will provide relief from above said symptoms and will increase the work productivity.
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM:
A Pre-Experimental Study to Assess the Effectiveness of Ocular Exercises on Computer Vision Syndrome Among the Staff Working at The Salvation Army Catherine Booth College of Nursing at Nagercoil, Kanyakumari District.
OBJECTIVE:
· To assess the symptoms of computer vision syndrome among staff working at the Salvation Army Catherine Booth college of nursing at Nagercoil, Kanyakumari District.
· To assess the effectiveness of the ocular exercises on computer vision syndrome among the staff working at the Salvation Army Catherine Booth College of nursing, at Nagercoil, Kanyakumari District.
METHODOLOGY:
Quantitative research approach was used to accomplish the research objective. One group pretest posttest design was followed. The study was conducted at the Salvation Army Catherine Booth College of Nursing .Purposive sampling technique was used to recruit the samples and total of 30 samples were selected. The tool used has three parts. Part I dealt with demographic and clinical variables. Part II dealt with rating scale of visual disturbance symptoms.
The statement in the components were measured using five point nominal scale ranging from score 0 (No symptoms) to score 80 (very severe symptoms) .Part III dealt with ocular exercises. It consists of 20 – 20- 20 rule of exercises, common eye exercises such as side to side, up and down, sideways, circular motion, intense eyelid compression, wide open , frequent blinking without stress, nose tip gazing, figure of eight, palming eye exercise etc.
DATA COLLECTION PROCEDURE:
The study has been conducted after getting formal permission from college management. Participants were explained about the purpose of the study. Oral consent has been obtained from them. Pre-test questionnaire was given to all study participants and calculated on the basis of visual rating scale. Post test was conducted after providing ocular exercises 2 sessions (Morning and evening) for 7 days, each session takes 15-20 minutes. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze and interpret the data.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION:
PART I - Socio Demographic Variables:
Table 1: Frequency and percentage distribution of samples according to their demographic variables. N = 30
|
S. No |
Demographic variables |
Frequency (n) |
Percentage (%) |
|
1. |
Age in years. (a) 21-30 years (b) 31-40 years (c) 41-50 years (d) 51-60 years. |
1 17 10 2 |
3 57 33 7 |
|
2.
|
Gender. (a) Male (b) Female |
6 24 |
20 80 |
|
3. |
Educational status. (a) Higher secondary (b) Diploma (c) Undergraduate (d) Postgraduate. |
4 1 6 19 |
13.33 3.33 20 63.33 |
|
4. |
Years of experience with computer. (a) 0-2 years (b) 3-5 years |
6 10 |
20 33.33 |
The above table clearly reveals that majority of them were females (80%) belongs to the age group of 31-40 years (57% ). Related to educational status most of them were post graduate (63.3%) and 33.3% have computer exposure more than 9 years.
Table 2: Frequency and percentage distribution of samples according to their work factors N = 30
|
S. No |
Work factors |
Frequency (f) |
Percentage (%) |
|
1. |
Working hours per day with computer. (a) 1-4 hours (b) 5-8 hours (c) 9-12 hours (d) More than 12 hours. |
15 13 1 1 |
50 43.33 3.33 3.33 |
|
2. |
Working Time (a) Day Time (b) Night Time. |
27 3 |
90 10 |
|
3. |
Do you refresh your eyes during work time? a) Often b) Sometimes c) Never |
7 21 2 |
22.33 70 7 |
|
4. |
Break time while watching video. (a) No breaks (b) 5 minutes at each one-hour intervals (c) 10 – 15 minutes breaks between 2 hours (d) One hour at the end of the video |
5 10 9 6 |
17 33 30 20 |
|
5. |
How do you use the break time to refresh your eyes? (a) Walking with in and out of the office (b) Looking nearby objects away from the monitor site (c) Relax and keeping the eyes closed (d) Doing eye exercises. |
17 6 7 0 |
57 20 23 0 |
|
6. |
How often do you blink your eyes during one hour period of work? (a) Once in every 10 seconds (b) Once in every 20 seconds (c) Once in every 30 seconds (d) Once in more than 31 seconds. |
17 6 7 0 |
57 20 23 0 |
Related with work factors half of them have exposure to computer for 1 – 4 hours and most of them (90%) working at day time. Majority of them (70%) refreshes their eyes sometimes by walking within and out of working area. In relation with Related with eyes during work time 22.3% often refreshes their eyes, 70% sometimes refreshes their eyes, 7% never refreshes their eyes. Regarding the blink status during one hour period of work greater number of samples (57%) blinks their eyes once in every 10 seconds and very few (30%) blinks their eyes once in every 30 seconds.
PART II: Percentage Distribution of Sample according to their Pre-test Level of symptoms before ocular exercises
Figure I Pre-test Level of symptoms before ocular exercises
The above figure reveals that in pre-test none very few of them (13.33% of them had mild symptoms, 16.66% of them had moderate Symptoms, 36.66% of them had severe Symptoms, 33.33% of them had very severe symptoms.
PART III: Percentage Distribution of Sample according to their Post-test Level of symptoms after ocular exercises
Figure II Post -test Level of symptoms before ocular exercises
The above figure-II revealed in post test 10% of them had No Symptoms, 80% of them had mild symptoms, 10% of them had moderate symptoms, and none of them had severe and very severe symptoms
PART IV - Effectiveness of Ocular Exercise on Computer Vision Syndrome
Table 3- Mean, Standard Deviation and the ‘t’ value of Samples According to their Pre and Post Test Level of symptoms of Computer Vision Syndrome
|
S. No |
Assessment characteristics |
Mean |
SD |
‘t’ value |
Table Value |
df |
|
1 |
Pre test |
46.6 |
96.32 |
11.428 |
2.20 |
29 P<0.05 |
|
2 |
post test |
12.3 |
31.434 |
|
|
|
The above table discusses Mean, Standard Deviation and ‘t’ value of samples according to their Pre and Post Test Level of symptoms of Computer Vision Syndrome .The calculated ‘t’ value was 11.428 which was more than table value 2.20 at (p<0.05) significance that showed there was a significant difference between pre-test and post-test level of symptoms among computer workers.
The present study findings are supported by Bhuvaneshwari.G.et.al (2020) who conducted a study to assess effect of ophthalmic exercise on visual discomfort among computer workers6. The findings of the study revealed that in pre-test mean score of visual discomfort was 35.10±14.59, and the post-test mean score was 14.72±3.19. The calculated paired “t”-test value of t = 9.823 was found to be statistically significant at P< 0.001 level. This indicates that there was a significant reduction in the level of visual discomfort in the post-test among computer workers.
RECOMMENDATION:
Since this study has limitations, such as the small sample size and short period of eye exercises, a future study can be carried out with more respondents and extended period of eye exercises. Other types of eye exercises may also be applied in order to get more representative results.
CONCLUSION:
Ophthalmic exercises are essential for the good vision of a person. Also, ophthalmic exercises reduce the risk of eye disease. In this study participation of ocular exercise program shows significant effect on reducing symptoms of computer vision syndrome among staff who have greater exposure to electronic gadgets such as mobile and laptops. Hence in addition to the treatment ophthalmic exercises can be performed for managing visual discomfort among computer workers.
REFERENCES:
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2. Derbew H, Nega A, Tefera W, Zafu T, Tsehaye K, Haile K, et al. Assessment of computer vision syndrome and personal risk factors among employees of commercial Bank of Ethiopia in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. J Environ Public Health. 2021; 2:1–8.
3. Sheppard AL, Wolffsohn JS. Digital eye strain: prevalence, measurement and amelioration. BMJ Open Ophthalmol. 2018; 3: 146.
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6. Bhuvaneshwari. G. et. al. Assessment of ophthalmic exercise on visual discomfort among computer workers. Drug Invention Today. 13(X).
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Received on 09.07.2024 Revised on 05.11.2024 Accepted on 14.01.2025 Published on 28.02.2025 Available online from March 26, 2025 A and V Pub Int. J. of Nursing and Med. Res. 2025; 4(1):54-57. DOI: 10.52711/ijnmr.2025.11 ©A and V Publications All right reserved
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