Digital Eye Strain in Online Learning and Remote Work Environments: A Systematic Review

NCT07707908 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: Ophth_110_2025_DES_SR
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 8,972
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This systematic review aims to evaluate the prevalence of digital eye strain (DES) among individuals engaged in online learning and remote work, identify associated demographic, behavioral, environmental, and ocular risk factors, and summarize evidence regarding preventive and therapeutic management strategies. Electronic databases including PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar were systematically searched for relevant studies published from January 2020 onward. Eligible studies included observational and interventional studies involving online learners or remote workers that reported the prevalence, risk factors, or management of DES. Two independent reviewers performed study selection, data extraction, and quality assessment. The review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Where appropriate, quantitative synthesis using a random-effects meta-analysis was planned; otherwise, findings were synthesized narratively. The review is intended to provide evidence-based recommendations for reducing the burden of digital eye strain in educational and occupational settings characterized by prolonged digital device use.

Conditions

Digital Eye Strain (DES); Computer Vision Syndrome

Keywords

Digital Eye Strain; Computer Vision Syndrome; Online Learning; Screen Time

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Proportion of Participants with Digital Eye Strain

  To estimate the pooled prevalence of digital eye strain among individuals engaged in online learning and remote work using data extracted from eligible published studies included in the systematic review and meta-analysis.

  Baseline

Study Arms (1)

Published Studies on Digital Eye Strain

This cohort consists of published observational and interventional studies included in a systematic review evaluating the prevalence, risk factors, and management strategies for digital eye strain among individuals engaged in online learning and remote work.

Other: Systematic Literature Review

Interventions

Systematic Literature Review OTHER

Systematic identification, selection, appraisal, and synthesis of published studies evaluating digital eye strain in online learning and remote work environments. No intervention was administered directly to participants.

Published Studies on Digital Eye Strain

Eligibility Criteria

• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

The study population consists of participants included in published studies evaluating digital eye strain among individuals engaged in online learning or remote work, including school and university students, educators, office employees, and other adults using digital devices for prolonged periods.

You may qualify if:

• Published observational studies (cross-sectional, cohort, or case-control) and interventional studies.
• Studies involving individuals participating in online learning or remote work.
• Studies reporting the prevalence, risk factors, severity, or management of digital eye strain (computer vision syndrome).
• Studies published in English.
• Publications from January 2020 onward.
• Full-text articles available for review.

You may not qualify if:

• Case reports and case series.
• Editorials, commentaries, letters, conference abstracts, and narrative reviews.
• Studies unrelated to online learning or remote work.
• Animal or laboratory studies.
• Duplicate publications.
• Studies with insufficient data for extraction.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Benha University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Benha University

Banhā, Benha, 13111, Egypt

Location

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: OTHER
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Lecturer of Ophthalmology

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 10, 2026
• First Posted: July 16, 2026
• Study Start: February 1, 2025
• Primary Completion: May 15, 2026
• Study Completion: June 23, 2026
• Last Updated: July 16, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-07

Locations

EG (1)