COVID-19 era- digital eye strain and the use of digital devices in online learning: A cross-sectional study of nursing students

Digital Eye Strain (DES) is a newly recognized healthcare problem. Therefore, this study assessed the frequency, intensity, and prevalence of DES, the usage of digital devices for online learning among nursing students enrolled in nursing courses in a governmental and a private university during the COVID-19 pandemic, compared the usage of digital devices before and after the pandemic, assessed its predictors, and interventions nursing students used to prevent or accommodate DES. A cross-sectional online survey was carried out. Between November and December 2022, data were collected with a purposive sample of 142 nursing students enrolled in nursing courses at a governmental and a private university in Jordan, with a response rate of 88.75%. Our sample didn’t have DES, but when it occurred, it was intense. The most frequent and intense symptoms were reported. The median of the mean score DES indicated that the prevalence of DES was 55.23% (occurred occasionally), and the prevalence of (severe) intensity was 52.11%. The mean daily hours spent using digital devices before and after the pandemic were 3.51 ± 1.96 and 4.51 ± 2.53, respectively; the majority spent 3–4 h. Besides using electronic devices for online learning, our nursing students spent 3.31 ± 1.87 on other activities. Before the pandemic, nursing students commonly used mobile phones. This usage decreased during the pandemic as they moved to computer desktops, laptops, and tablets. Being senior students and using equipment to help protect the eyes predicted the DES. Students used different interventions to prevent or accommodate DES. Based on the international trend, we can conclude that the DES increased during the pandemic; nursing students have spent more hours on digital devices, and over 55.00% have DES. They have frequent serious symptoms from DES, which should be managed immediately. To decrease the prevalence of DES, redesigning our educational system should be prioritized, considering that online learning along with DES will remain even after this pandemic end.