Prevalence of Digital Eye Strain and Its Associated Factors Among Bankers

Abstract

Background: Digital eye strain is a rising occupational health concern, especially among professionals with prolonged screen exposure. Bankers are particularly at risk due to constant use of computers and digital devices, leading to symptoms like eye fatigue, blurred vision, dryness, and headaches. Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of digital eye strain and its associated factors among bankers. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted from March to August 2025 after obtaining ethical approval from the Department of Allied Health Sciences, University of Sialkot. About 278 bankers from various public and private banks in Sialkot, aged between 20 and 40 years, who used a computer for a minimum of three hours per day were included. Individuals were excluded if they had visual problems or injuries, systemic conditions, including collagen vascular or endocrine diseases, or a history of recent ophthalmic surgery within the past six months, ocular toxoplasmosis, lack of clear ocular media. Written informed consent was obtained from each participant before data collection. The CVS-Smart and CVS-Q questionnaires were administered under the researcher’s supervision to ensure completeness and clarity. Frequencies and percentages were calculated for demographic, symptoms, risk factors, and the computer vision syndrome group. Cross-tabulations were performed to find the association of the computer vision group with risk factors using the chi-square test. Results: Among 278 bankers (60.1% male; mean age 30.7±5.3 years), headache (10.1%), double vision (8.3%), and blurred vision (7.9%) were the most common digital eye strain symptoms. Nearly all (95.7%) used screens for over three hours daily, while 41% took regular breaks. Most (67.3%) used both desktop and mobile devices, but only 9.4% wore glasses. Ergonomic practices were followed by 45.3%, and 88.8% adjusted screen brightness. Awareness was low (25.9%), with a mean computer vision syndrome score of 4.83±2.27; 25.2% were computer vision syndrome-positive, and 33.8% had a high probability. Conclusion: This study found a high prevalence of digital eye strain among bankers in Sialkot, significantly associated with prolonged screen time, poor ergonomic practices, and limited awareness. To reduce its occurrence, preventive strategies such as promoting regular screen breaks, ergonomic setups, and conducting awareness programs are strongly recommended.