Eye Health Risks and Use of Digital Devices Among Adolescents in Dhaka City

Abstract

Background and objectives: The widespread use of digital devices among adolescents raises public health concerns, particularly regarding digital eye strain. Because localized data on eye health risks associated with device use among adolescents in urban Bangladesh remain limited, this study assessed eye health risks and digital device use among adolescents in Dhaka City. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 220 adolescents aged 13–17 years at a single school in Dhaka City from September 2024 to October 2025 using convenience sampling. Data were collected using a structured, culturally adapted questionnaire assessing sociodemographic characteristics, digital device use patterns, and self-reported ocular and musculoskeletal symptoms recalled for the periods before and after digital device use. Descriptive statistics, t-tests, analysis of variance, and Pearson correlation were performed using SPSS version 29. Results: Participants reported very early exposure to digital devices (mean age at onset, 4.29 ± 2.43 years). High-risk usage patterns were prevalent: 40% used devices for > 3 hours/day, 73.2% used them while lying down, and 61.4% used them at bedtime with the lights off. The prevalence of all reported symptoms was higher for the period recalled after device use, with headache (56.4%), neck pain (38.6%), tired eyes (33.6%), and blurred vision (33.2%) being the most common. A statistically significant but weak positive correlation was found between daily usage time (hours/day) and post-use eye health risk scores (r = 0.155, P = 0.021). Conclusions: These exploratory findings from a single-school sample suggest the need for education on healthier digital device practices among adolescents, but confirmation in larger, representative studies with objective ophthalmic assess ments is warranted.