Digital Device Exposure and its Association with Refractive Error Progression and Digital Eye Strain in School-Going Children: A Longitudinal Study

Background:The increasing use of digital devices among children has raised concerns regarding their impact on ocular health, particularly refractive error progression and digital eye strain (DES). Objectives:To evaluate the association between digital device exposure, refractive error progression, and digital eye strain among school-going children. Materials and Methods: This prospective longitudinal study was conducted over 8 months at PES Institute of Medical Sciences and Research. A total of 200 school-going children aged 6–16 years were enrolled. Data on digital device usage, including type and daily screen time, were collected using a structured questionnaire. Comprehensive ophthalmic examination and assessment of digital eye strain symptoms were performed at baseline and at the end of the study period. Refractive error progression was defined as a change of ≥0.50 diopters. Statistical analysis was carried out using appropriate tests, with a p-value