Impact of Gender on the Incidence and Symptoms of Computer Vision Syndrome in University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study in Pakistan

Abstract

Purpose

To determine the difference in severity and symptomatology of CVS between male and female students by reviewing the scores obtained from the questionnaire. Moreover, to find the prevalence of Computer Vision Syndrome among undergraduate university students in Lahore.

Methodology

                        This was a Cross-sectional analytical study. The estimated sample size was 420 subjects.  Students having digital devices like smartphones, tablets, laptops, desktop computers, and a habit of using either of these digital devices for ≥2 hours daily for educational and social networking. Moreover, they were willing to provide informed consent and fill out the questionnaire.

Results

A total of 420 students responded (mean age: 22.75 ± 0.84 years), two-thirds (66.7%) of whom were female. Over 94% of female students reported the severity of symptoms of computer vision syndrome. A statistically significant gender difference was observed in symptoms of eye tiredness due to VDT use, with females reporting it more frequently (67.8%) compared to males (57.2%) (p = 0.008). A shorter TBUT (<5 seconds) was observed in 5.3% of males and 16.0% of females, indicating a higher incidence of tear film instability in females.

 Conclusion

In this study, it was concluded that ocular symptoms, such as itchy eyes, were more common among females. Other symptoms, such as redness, burning, and foreign body sensation, were common in both genders; no statistically significant differences were observed. Ocular parameters, goblet cell density, and tear break-up time were slightly higher in males than in females, while in females, greater conjunctival changes and shorter TBUT were observed. Overall, the results suggest that female students are more vulnerable to symptomatic CVS. In contrast, males revealed relatively better ocular surface stability, highlighting the need for targeted preventive strategies in high-risk groups.