Dry Eye and Sleep Disorders among Optometry Students in KNUST Amidst On-Line Teaching and Learning: A Cross- Sectional Study

  • Abdul-Sadik Ahmed Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7072-8342
  • Abdul-Kabir Mohammed Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi-Ghana
  • Winifred Yeboah Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi-Ghana https://orcid.org/0009-0007-1484-6559
  • Shiella Emefa Kokui Amedoe Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi-Ghana https://orcid.org/0009-0002-7527-0411
  • Emmanuel Addo Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi-Ghana
  • Sylvester Kyeremeh Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi-Ghana
Keywords: Dry eye, Sleep disorders, On-line, Teaching, Screen time

Abstract

Globally, dry eye disease is a major public health concern with underestimated patient health consequences. The prolonged exposure to digital devices is identified as a common risk factor associated with dry eye. Increasing population of students with inadequate lecture hall has further increased exposure to digital devices especially among students as on-line teaching has been integrated into the university teaching. Increased dry eye symptoms are linked with sleep disorders, yet there is paucity of data among the student populace. This study investigates the association between dry eye disease and sleep disorders amidst increased exposure to screens of digital technology namely, computer and cell phones. A probability proportionate to size and systematic randomized sampling technique were used to recruit 285 participants. The demographic characteristics of participants were gathered using questionnaire. Dry eye disease and sleep disorders were ascertained using Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) and the standard Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) questionnaire respectively. The mean age (±SD) of the study participants was 20.8 ±1.9 years with majority being males (51.2%). About 62.1% of the participants had a normal score on the OSDI assessment. The OSDI showed strong correlation with PSQI scores (p = 0.002), indicating most of the individuals who experienced dry eye symptoms also had sleep disorders. A significant correlation was found between increased in screen time and dry eye disorders. Individuals should be educated to put measures in place to reduce prolonged screen exposure. This will help in reducing symptoms of dry eye, which significantly can lead to sleep disorders, and thus affect productive output.

Author Biographies

Abdul-Sadik Ahmed, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology

As a Lecturer, Scientist, and Optometric physician Dr.Ahmed Abdul-Sadik focus on vision enhancement and prevention of visual defects and blindness. He graduated from the University of Science and Technology holding Bsc.,P.G.Dip,Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) and MPhil. He has participated in joint research projects and medical outreaches, including the Refractive Error in School Children (RESC) - Ghana Study. He has 15 publications in peer-reviewed journals including JUST.

Winifred Yeboah, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi-Ghana

Dr. Winifred Yeboah focus on Rhetoric and Composition as her area of specialization to enhance her research activities. She graduated from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology with Doctor of Optometry ( O.D.). She is currently optometrist at the Goodness Eye Care, Sunyani, Bono Region

Shiella Emefa Kokui Amedoe, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi-Ghana

Dr. Shiella Emefa Kokui Amedoe research endeavours, she concentrates on Data Visualization as her specialty. She received her Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. She is the optometrist with See Clear Eye Clinic, Tarkwa, Western Region at the moment.

Published
2024-10-03
How to Cite
Ahmed, A.-S., Mohammed, A.-K., Yeboah, W., Amedoe, S. E. K., Addo, E., & Kyeremeh, S. (2024). Dry Eye and Sleep Disorders among Optometry Students in KNUST Amidst On-Line Teaching and Learning: A Cross- Sectional Study. Journal of Science and Technology, 42(3), 13 - 21. https://doi.org/10.4314/just.v42i3.1510
Section
Articles