Association between Screentime of Gadget Used and Eye Strain in School-Age Children

Sopiatul Laila; Casman Casman; Rahmitha Sari; Nastiti Zahra; Bahtiar Bahtiar

doi:10.63323/jkes.v15i02.289

Sopiatul Laila Universitas Sultan Ageng Tirtayasa
Casman Casman Universitas Sultan Ageng Tirtayasa https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5635-317X
Rahmitha Sari Universitas Sultan Ageng Tirtayasa
Nastiti Az Zahra Ambalat Clinic
Bahtiar Bahtiar Mulawarman University

DOI: https://doi.org/10.63323/jkes.v15i02.289

Keywords: Adolescents, Children, Eye Strain, Gadgets, Screentime, School-Age

Abstract

Introduction: Technological advancements have made gadgets an integral part of daily life and children’s education. However, excessive gadget use can have negative effects on eye health, one of which is eye strain (asthenopia). This study aims to analyze the relationship between the intensity of gadget use and eye strain among students at SMPN 19 in Serang City.

Method: This quantitative study employed a cross-sectional design. The study population consisted of all 583 students in grades 7–9 SMPN 19 in Serang City. The sample consisted of 237 students selected using stratified random sampling with proportional allocation. Data collection took place from September to November 2025 using a questionnaire that had been validated for both validity and reliability. Bivariate analysis employed Spearman’s rho correlation test because the data for the eye strain variable were not normally distributed.

Results: Respondents had a median gadget usage of 480 minutes/day (8 hours/day, range: 20–900 minutes) and a median eye strain score of 25 (range: 14–44), indicating a high level of eye strain among students (median > 15). The results of the Spearman’s rho test showed a statistically significant association between gadget usage intensity and eye strain (p = 0.004; r = −0.186).

Conclusion: There is a significant association between gadget usage intensity and eye strain among middle school students. The high duration of gadget used and high eye strain scores underscore the importance of eye health education in schools. Further research is recommended to evaluate other contributing factors such as viewing distance, room lighting, and body position/posture while using gadgets.