Assessment of risk factors, accommodation disorders, as a component of computer vision syndrome in schoolchildren of different age groups

    Abstract

    Original article

    Assessment of risk factors, accommodation disorders, as a component of computer vision syndrome in schoolchildren of different age groups

    E.V. Berdnikova, E.V. Yadykina, A.M. Bogomolova

    South-Ural State Medical University, Chelaybinsk, Russian Federation
Chelyabinsk Regional Pediatric Hospital, Chelaybinsk, Russian Federation

    Purpose. To assess the risk factors of computer vision syndrome using a special questionnaire and evaluate main indicators of accommodation functions in children of various school ages. To assess risk factors, the prevalence of computer vision syndrome, as well as accommodation indicators in schoolchildren of different age groups.

    Material and methods. This study involved 90 schoolchildren studying in schools in Chelyabinsk, aged 7 to 18 years. All children were divided by age into equal groups. The first group included schoolchildren aged 7–10 years, the second – 11–14 years old, the third – 15–18 years old. Each group consisted of 30 children. At the first stage, schoolchildren answered questions on a lifestyle questionnaire. At the second stage, all schoolchildren underwent a standard ophthalmological examination, including a study of visometry, refraction and accommodation indicators.

    Results. The average screen time of schoolchildren in all age categories was 8.1±0.7 hours. Schoolchildren do not maintain correct body position when working at a desk, do not spend enough time in the fresh air, and do not sleep enough. As age increases, there is an increase in the time that schoolchildren spend on electronic devices; the number of children with myopia increases from 26.7% in the younger age group to 60% among children 15–18 years old. In each age group there are children with myopia who do not use optical correction or have incomplete correction; in the older age group this figure was 36.7%. In the middle age group, the difference between manifest and cycloplegic refraction was established in 83.3% of cases. In all age groups, almost half of the children showed a decrease in the volume and reserve of accommodation.

    Conclusions. The older a child gets, the longer the time he spends on an electronic gadget. Schoolchildren of all age groups spend an insufficient amount of time in the fresh air, which on average does not exceed one hour a day. Against the background of an increase in myopic refraction as children grow older, accommodation disturbances have been identified in all age groups, which can lead to the appearance or progression of myopia.

    Key words: accommodation, computer visual syndrome, children and adolescents

    For citation: Berdnikova E.V., Yadykina E.V., Bogomolova A.M. Assessment of risk factors, accommodation disorders, as a component of computer vision syndrome in schoolchildren of different age groups. Rossiyskaya detskaya oftalmologiya. 2025;1(51): 17–23.

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.25276/2307-6658-2025-1-17-23

    Corresponding author: Ekaterina V. Berdnikova, e.v.berdnikova@gmail.com