Digital eye strain among the Omani university population: prevalence, contributing factors, and preventive practices

Background: University students are increasingly exposed to prolonged digital device use for academic activities, which places them at risk of digital eye strain (DES). While prevalence is widely reported, limited attention has been given to students’ awareness and preventive practices. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of DES, associated behavioral patterns, and preventive practices among university students. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted during the Spring semester of the 2025–2026 academic year at the University of Buraimi, Oman. Using stratified random sampling, 240 undergraduate students were recruited from all four colleges. Data were collected through an online survey comprising demographic characteristics, digital device usage habits, the validated Computer Vision Syndrome Questionnaire (CVS-Q), and items assessing awareness and preventive practices. Results: Overall, 58.8% (n = 141) of participants were classified as having DES, with the majority experiencing mild symptoms (n = 89, 37.1%), followed by moderate (n = 40, 16.7%) and severe (n = 12, 5.0%) symptoms. The most commonly reported symptoms were tearing (n = 137, 57.1%), ocular dryness (n = 125, 52.1%), eye redness (n = 115, 47.9%), burning sensation (n = 104, 43.3%), and itching (n = 104, 43.3%). Prolonged screen exposure was common, with 72.5% (n = 174) reporting ≥ 5 h of daily use, alongside frequent use of multiple devices and suboptimal ergonomic practices, including close viewing distances and poor posture. Awareness of DES was reported by 37% (n = 87) of participants, yet adoption of preventive practices was inconsistent. A statistically significant association was observed between engagement in preventive practices and lower DES severity (P < 0.05), whereas awareness alone was not significantly associated with symptom severity (P > 0.05). Conclusions: The findings of this study indicate a 58.8% prevalence of DES among Omani university students. Prolonged screen time emerged as a key predictive factor. Awareness of DES was limited, and adherence to preventive practices remained low. These results underscore the need for targeted educational interventions on eye health, emphasizing simple and effective strategies such as the 20‑20‑20 rule to reduce the burden of DES among university students.