The Effects of Excessive Use of Computer Screen on Visual Acuity among Non-academic University Staff

Background: The increasing prevalence of computer vision syndrome (CVS) necessitates a thorough understanding of its impact on visual health among users. This study aimed to investigate the adverse effects of long-term computer usage on the visual acuity of non-academic staff at the University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 321 non-academic staff members aged 18-45 years with at least two years of computer usage experience. The participants were randomly selected and completed a structured questionnaire assessing demographic details, computer usage habits, and visual health status. Visual acuity was measured using the Snellen eye chart, and the data were analysed using SPSS version 25, applying descriptive statistics and chi-square tests for significance.

Results: Among the 159 computer users, 32.7% reported using screens for more than six hours daily. Common symptoms included eye strain (17.6%), blurred vision (14.7%), and headaches (13.2%). Visual acuity assessments indicated that 66.9% of computer users had normal vision in the left eye, whereas 82.6% of computer users exhibited abnormal visual acuity compared with non-users (χ2 = 29.89, p = 0.00). A significant association was found between increased screen time and reduced normal visual acuity, with 27.3% of users with over five years of screen time reporting normal vision.

Conclusion: This study highlighted the adverse effects of prolonged computer usage on visual acuity among non-academic staff, emphasizing the need for awareness and preventive measures to mitigate the risk of CVS in this population.