Effectiveness of Ophthalmic Exercises on selected Eye Parameters among Virtual Learners
J.R. Jerin1, A. Reena Evency2
1M. Sc Nursing Student in Child Health Nursing, St. Xavier’s Catholic College of Nursing, Chunkankadai.
2Principal, St. Xavier’s Catholic College of Nursing, Chunkankadai.
*Corresponding Author E-mail: jerinjosephjr@gmail.com
ABSTRACT:
Background: Due to covid-19 educational institutions were entirely closed from March 2020. There is irresolvable to stop the spread of the Covid pandemic, which affect the school children. So, virtual classes were started, instead of traditional education. Due to this virtual learning, the screen hours spending got increased. Spending long time in the screen results in eye problems among school children. Digital eye strains are the most common problem, due to long term usage of the digital devices. The common eye associated problems, due to this perpetual usage of digital devices are dry eyes, itching, foreign body sensation, blurring of vision, headache and watering of the eyes. Methods: Quasi experimental non randomized control group design was adopted for the study. Purposive sampling technique was used to select 30 participants for study group and 30 participants for control group. Pretest was done through the digital device eye symptoms rating scale and schirmer’s dry eye test. Ophthalmic exercises were given for 15 minutes once a day for seven consecutive days. Post test was done to both study group and control group on the seventh day after intervention through the same tool. Discussion: The findings have revealed that the pretest mean score on selected eye parameters such as digital device eye symptoms 39.90 and 37.03 and for dryness of eyes are 8.57 and 10.03 in study group and control group. The paired ‘t’ test value of study group and control group on digital device eye symptoms are 15.62 and 1.62 and dryness of eyes are 6.82 and 1.469 respectively which were significant at p≤0.05 and highly significant at p≤0.01, p≤0.001. Hence, the research hypothesis H1 accepted. The posttest mean score on selected eye parameters such as digital device eye symptoms are 18.47 and 38.96 and for dryness of eyes are 18 and 9.73 in study group and control group respectively. The unpaired ‘t’ test value for digital device eye symptoms is 8.50 and for dryness of eyes is 7.28 which is significant at p≤0.05 and highly significant at p≤0.01, p≤0.001. Conclusion: Based on the findings the study revealed that ophthalmic exercises are more effective in reducing selected eye parameters among virtual learners.
KEYWORDS: Ophthalmic Exercises, Eye Parameters, Virtual Learners, Schimer’s Test.
INTRODUCTION:
The prevalence of digital eye strain was estimated to range from 25% to 93%, as reported in various studies in India. Higher prevalence rates of Digital eye strain were observed in adolescents using smart phones or in those who were regularly and excessively used it for more than two hours daily and endlessly.1 Most of the children, using computers and mobile phone for education and recreational purposes are affected with eye problems. In China, prevalence of myopia increased to 1.4 to 3 times in children during Covid-19.2
The common eye related problems, due to this long-term usage of digital devices are dry eyes, itching, foreign body sensation, blurring of vision, headache and watering of the eyes.3
Digital eye strain is a group of eye and vision related problems like itch, tear of eyes, dry and red, tired of eyes or uncomfortable feeling to eyes, not be able to focus the object normally. These problems are caused due to digital device use.4 The prevalence of the digital eye strains in community are estimated as 22.3 to 39.8% through subjective methods as well as objective methods in India.5
Dryness of eyes is caused by decrease in the production of the tears and lacrimal duct dysfunction. This may cause because of various reasons such as use of digital devices, adolescence conditions like myopia, digital eye strains, asthenopia.6
Centuries, people have promoted eye exercises as a ‘natural’ cure for vision problems, including eyesight. Ophthalmic exercises can help to reduce eyestrain and may help the eyes feel better.7
MATERIAL AND METHODS:
Quasi experimental non randomized control group design was adopted for the study. The study was conducted in selected rural areas of Kanyakumari District. Purposive sampling technique was used to choose 30 participants for study group and 30 participants for control group. Pretest was done by using digital device eye symptoms rating scale and schirmer’s dry eye test. Ophthalmic exercises were given for 15 minutes once a day for seven consecutive days. Post test was done to both study group and control group on the seventh day after intervention using the same tool.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION:
Demographic Variable:
According to the age in years, in study and control group, most of the participants are 18(60%) and 17 (57%) belonged to 15 years of age. Regarding gender, in study and control group majority 17(57%) and 16(53%) of them were females. Considering to the type of diet, in study and control group most of them 27(90%) and 27(90%) were taking mixed food. Corresponding to the exposure time to virtual media, in study and control group most of the participants are18(60%) and 21(70%) were 4.01-6 hours. With regard to room illumination, in study and control group most of the participants are 18 (60%) and 17(57%) were using bright light. In relation to father’s education, in study and group most of them are 15 (50%) and 14(47%) completed school education. According to the mother’s education, most of them were 16 (53%) and 15 (50%) were completed school education in study and control group. Analyzing the family income per month, in study and control group most 13 (43%) and 14(46%) of them were earning ₹.15,001 to 20,000/-
The first objective was to assess and compare the pretest and posttest score on selected eye parameters among virtual learners in study group and control group.
The estimated unpaired ‘t’ value for digital device eye symptoms is 8.50*** which was significant at p≤0.05 and was highly significant at p≤0.01, p≤0.001. The estimated unpaired ‘t’ value for dryness of eyes is 7.28*** which was significant at p≤0.05 and was highly significant at p≤0.01, p≤0.001. Hence the ophthalmic exercises are effective in reducing the dryness of eyes among virtual learners. Hence the research hypothesis H2 was accepted.
Table 1.1 Frequency and Percentage distribution of pretest and posttest score on Digital device eye symptoms among virtual learners in study group and control group.
|
S. No. |
Digital device eye symptoms |
Study group (n= 30) |
Control group (n=30) |
||||||
|
Pretest |
Posttest |
Pretest |
Posttest |
||||||
|
f |
% |
f |
% |
f |
% |
f |
% |
||
|
1. |
Normal |
0 |
0.00 |
9 |
30.00 |
0 |
0.00 |
0 |
0.00 |
|
2. |
Mild Symptoms |
13 |
43.00 |
21 |
70.00 |
14 |
47.00 |
13 |
43.00 |
|
3. |
Moderate Symptoms |
17 |
57.00 |
0 |
0.00 |
16 |
53.00 |
17 |
57.00 |
|
4. |
Severe symptoms |
0 |
0.00 |
0 |
0.00 |
0 |
0.00 |
0 |
0.00 |
Table 1.2 Frequency and Percentage distribution of pretest and post test score on dryness of eyes among virtual learners in study group and control group.
|
S.No. |
Dryness of eyes |
Study group (n= 30) |
Control group (n=30) |
||||||
|
Pretest |
Posttest |
Pretest |
Posttest |
||||||
|
f |
% |
f |
% |
f |
% |
f |
% |
||
|
1. |
Normal |
0 |
0.00 |
25 |
83.00 |
0 |
0.00 |
0 |
0.00 |
|
2. |
Mild dryness |
14 |
47.00 |
5 |
17.00 |
13 |
43.00 |
9 |
30.00 |
|
3. |
Moderate dryness |
16 |
53.00 |
0 |
0.00 |
17 |
56.00 |
17 |
57.00 |
|
4. |
Severe dryness |
0 |
0.00 |
0 |
0.00 |
0 |
0.00 |
4 |
13.00 |
Virtual learners:
In study group, the calculated value of the demographic variables such as exposure time to virtual media and room illumination (χ2=4.434) are greater than the table value which indicates that there is a significant association at p≤0.05, p≤0.01, p≤0.001 with their pretest score on digital device eye symptoms among virtual learners. In control group, the calculated value of the demographic variables such as exposure time to virtual media (χ2=8.22) and room illumination (χ2=4.692) are greater than the table value which indicates that there is a significant association at p≤0.05, p≤0.01, p≤0.001 with their score pretest on digital device eye symptoms among virtual learners. In study group, the calculated value of the demographic variables such as exposure time to virtual media (χ2=8.55) and room illumination (χ2=6.455) are greater than the table value which indicates that there is a significant association at p≤0.05, p≤0.01, p≤0.001 with their pretest score on dryness of the eyes among virtual learners. In control group, the calculated value of the demographic variables such as exposure time to virtual media (χ2=6.03) and room illumination (χ2=6.26) are greater than the table value which indicates that there is a significant association at p≤0.05 p≤0.01, p≤0.001 with their pretest score on dryness of the eyes among virtual learners.
CONCLUSION:
The study concluded that the Ophthalmic exercises are effective in reducing the selected eye parameters such as digital device eye symptoms and dryness of eyes. Ophthalmic exercises are more essential to reduce the risk of digital device eye symptoms and dryness of eyes.
REFERENCES:
1. Khan. S. Comparison of prevalence of data about digital eye strain, pre lockdown versus post lockdown. International Journal of Research and Review. 18(5): 2454-2237
2. Beudekon V M. Vision problems arise in young school kids in covid-19 quarantine. retrieved 14 January, 2021 from https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/321
3. Mohan A. Prevalence and risk factor assessment of digital eye strain. Indian Journal of Ophthalmology. 11.249-148.246.
4. Sina C. Computer vision syndrome. retrieved January, 2021 from https://www.cedars-sinai.org/health-library/diseases-and- conditions/c/computer vision-syndrome.html.501
5. Bhattachaya. Digital eye strain in the era of covid-19 pandemic. Indian Journal of Ophthalmology. 68(8): 169-171.
6. Lewis. Text Book of Medical Surgical Nursing. (3rd Edition). Chintamani Publication.
7. Healthline. Eye Exercises. retrived from https://www.healthline.com/health/eye-health/eye-exercises.
|
Received on 18.12.2024 Revised on 14.02.2025 Accepted on 22.04.2025 Published on 21.05.2025 Available online from May 23, 2025 Int. J. of Advances in Nursing Management. 2025;13(2):73-75. DOI: 10.52711/2454-2652.2025.00015 ©A and V Publications All right reserved
|
|
|
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. Creative Commons License. |
|