Daniyal Ahmed*, Muhammad Asfand, S Khurram Shaheer Kazmi, Ahsan Kamal Marwat and Dur E Nayyab

Department of Public Health, Health Services Academy, Pakistan

*Corresponding Author: Daniyal Ahmed, Department of Public Health, Health Services Academy, Pakistan.

Received: September 23, 2025; Published: October 30, 2025

Abstract

Objective:The objective of this study is to assess the relationship between screen time, reading posture, and the prevalence of refractive errors among ophthalmology patients at Al-Nafees Medical College Hospital.

Study Design: A descriptive cross sectional study.

Study Setting and Duration: Ophthalmology OPD patients of Al- Nafees Hospital over the period of 8 weeks from 1st May 2020 to 30th June 2020.

Methodology: A convenient sampling technique was used for 140 (N) participants. A designed questionnaire with close ended questions for the study was used. The patients that were coming to ophthalmology OPD that gave written consent were included in our study. The parameters like age and gender was filled and the data regarding refractive errors was collected while they were examined by the doctor in ophthalmology OPD along with the related questions filled on self-recall basis. All the data was collected and was then analyzed for frequency in terms of percentages by using SPSS version 25.

Results: A total of 140 participants responded to the study, yielding a response rate of 93.3%. Among the participants, myopia was the most prevalent refractive error (43%), followed by emmetropia (22%), astigmatism (11%), and presbyopia (12%). Shorter reading times (<5 hours/week) were associated with higher rates of myopia, while longer reading times (11-24 hours/week) showed higher prevalence of hyperopia and presbyopia. Posture while reading or using device did not show statistical significance (p > 0.05) associated with refractive errors except astigmatism and presbyopia (P < 0.05). Extended screen time showed a statistically significantly associated with anisometropia, astigmatism and Presbyopia (p = 0.018, 0.002 and 0.004 respectively). Visual conditions were not significantly affected, and ocular exercise participation was low across all refractive errors.

Conclusion: Screen time is significantly associated with refractive errors, whereas posture while using the device or reading showed statistical significant association especially with astigmatism and presbyopia. Extended reading hours are associated particularly with myopia and hyperopia. These results underline the importance of promoting balanced screen use with proper posture and regular eye examinations.

Keywords: Ophthalmology; Refractive Errors; Screen Time; Reading Posture; Ocular Exercises

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Citation

Citation: Daniyal Ahmed., et al. “Unseen Risks: The Association Between Screen Time and Refractive Errors in Ophthalmology Patients at Al-Nafees Medical College Hospital".Acta Scientific Ophthalmology 8.11 (2025): 29-38.

Copyright

Copyright: © 2025 Daniyal Ahmed., et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.