Risks of developing diseases of an eye and its adnexa in students in conditions of the violation of hygienic rules for the use of electronic devices

Introduction. The process of involving children, adolescents and youth in the constantly developing information space is an objective reality. At the same time, the lack of monitored indices of the safety of electronic devices (ED) for the health of children and adolescents, the lack of a clearly built system of preventive measures require its development and improvement, which will reduce the risk of the digital information environment impact on the health of the younger generation.

Materials and methods. The survey using a questionnaire, developed by specialists from the Research Institute of Hygiene and Health Protection of Children and Adolescents in 2017-2020, was used to collect data on the nature of ED using by schoolchildren and students in educational and leisure activities (1218 questionnaires). In 2017-2020, 805 schoolchildren and students from the Moscow gymnasium №12 and the Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University underwent an ophthalmological examination.

Results. All the surveyed schoolchildren and students used ED. Analysis of the questionnaire data allowed us to determine the duration of continuous use of ED (computer, laptop, tablet, smartphone, etc.) by children, adolescents, and young people during school and vacation time. All categories of respondents both during the academic period and during holidays showed a high duration of continuous use of ED. Thus, the presence of a behavioral risk factor for the uncontrolled use of ED (long duration of continuous work with ED) was shown among all categories of respondents, which may cause the development of eye diseases. The analysis of the results obtained revealed significant negative values of the correlation coefficients between students’ visual acuity and the duration of their continuous use of both stationary (computer) and mobile (smartphone, tablet) ED. 

Discussion. The introduction of these preventive measures into the daily routine and lifestyle of children, adolescents, and young people will help prevent visual acuity disorders.

Conclusion. It is necessary to introduce hygienic rationing of the frequency and duration of the possible influence of ED not only during the educational process but also in leisure time to increase the awareness of parents and the degree of their control over the use of ED. To elevate awareness of all ED users’ categories it is necessary to intensify work to promote the rules for the safe use of ED and related foundations of a healthy lifestyle and self-control over ED use.

In connection with the development of the digital educational environment, it is advisable to improve the hygienic standardization of text information in electronic publications for children, adolescents, and students. To prevent the symptoms of eye fatigue, it is advisable to limit continuous work with a bright screen (no more than 60 minutes), followed by a break of at least 15-20 minutes, not related to viewing the illuminated screen, in compliance with the recommendations for relieving stress from the visual analyzer.