Research Article

Prevalence of Computer Vision Syndrome and Its Association with Smartphone Usage Patterns Among Optometry Students

Abstract

Purpose: To determine the prevalence of computer vision syndrome (CVS) and its association with smartphone usage patterns among optometry students at Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Methods: In this cross‑sectional study, 107 optometry students participated between 2023 and 2025. Data were collected using a structured smartphone usage questionnaire and the validated Persian version of the CVS-Questionnaire (CVS‑Q). A CVS‑Q score ≥ 6 indicated CVS. Demographic characteristics, daily smartphone screen time, working distance, body posture during smartphone use, screen illumination, blue light filter use, sleep duration, and optical correction status was recorded. Refractive error was measured using an open-field autorefractometer and confirmed by retinoscopy. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS v26 )p < 0.05).
Results: Participants’ mean age was 21.93 ± 3.88 years, with 64.5% female. CVS prevalence was 73.8%, with a mean score of 9.54 ± 5.82. The average daily smartphone screen time was 5.6 ± 1.4 hours, and the mean working distance was 35.37 ± 7.49 cm. The most prevalent symptoms were dryness (74.8%), burning sensation (72.9%), increased sensitivity to light (60.7%), and headache (57%). No significant associations were found between CVS severity and screen time, working distance, body posture, screen illumination, blue light filter use, sleep duration, refractive error, or optical correction (p > 0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis did not identify significant predictors of CVS severity (R² = 0.049, p = 0.075).
Conclusion: CVS is highly prevalent among optometry students and demonstrates a multifactorial etiology, extending beyond screen time and blue light exposure alone.

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IssueArticles in Press QRcode
SectionResearch Article(s)
Keywords
Computer vision syndrome; Digital eye strain; Smartphone; Students; Refractive errors
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How to Cite
1.
Kangari H, Naghdi T, Akbarzade Baghban A, Khorrami-Nejad M. Prevalence of Computer Vision Syndrome and Its Association with Smartphone Usage Patterns Among Optometry Students. jmr. 2026;(-).