Published date: Oct 24 2019

Journal Title: Journal of Ophthalmic and Vision Research

Issue title: October–December 2019, Volume 14, Issue 4

Pages: 474 - 482

DOI: 10.18502/jovr.v14i4.5455

Hassan HashemiNoor Research Center for Ophthalmic Epidemiology, Noor Eye Hospital, Tehran, Iran; Noor Ophthalmology Research Center, Noor Eye Hospital, Tehran, Iran

Mohammad SaatchiNoor Research Center for Ophthalmic Epidemiology, Noor Eye Hospital, Tehran, Iran

Abbasali YektaYektaA@mums.ac.irDepartment of Optometry, School of Paramedical Sciences, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

Babak AliDepartment of Optometry, School of Paramedical Sciences, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

Hadi OstadimoghaddamRefractive Errors Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

Payam NabovatiRehabilitation Research Center, Department of Optometry, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Mohamadreza AghamirsalimEye Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Mehdi KhabazkhoobDepartment of Psychiatric Nursing and Management, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical

Purpose: To determine the prevalence of asthenopia and its associated factors in a sample of university students in Iran.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, participants were selected using multistage cluster sampling. Presence of at least one of the 10 symptoms—foreign body sensation, diplopia, blurred vision, eye swelling, dry eye, eye pain, difficulty in sustaining visual operations, decreased visual acuity, tearing, and photophobia—was considered as asthenopia. Ocular examinations, including uncorrected/corrected visual acuity measurement, objective/subjective refraction, cover test, amplitude of accommodation (AA), and near point of convergence (NPC) were performed.

Results: Of the 1,462 students (mean age: 22.8 ± 3.1 years), 73% were women. The age- and gender standardized prevalence was 70.9% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 68.3–73.5), 39.8% (95% CI: 36.4–43.1), and 19.7% (95% CI: 16.0–23.3) based on the presence of at least one, two, and three symptoms, respectively. The prevalence was significantly higher in females (P = 0.048), hyperopic students (P < 0.001), and astigmatic participants (P < 0.001). The mean AA and NPC were 9.7 ± 2.6 D and 10.2 ± 4.2 D (P = 0.008) and 7.0 ± 2.1 cm and 7.7 ± 3.9 cm (P < 0.001) in participants with and without asthenopia, respectively. Multiple regression model revealed age (28–29 years), astigmatism, and NPC as independent associated factors (odds ratios: 3.51, 1.61, and 0.91, respectively).

Conclusion: This study shows relatively high prevalence of asthenopia in university students. Demographic factors and visual system disorders are important risk factors and timely correction of conditions may lead to decreased asthenopia.

Keywords: Asthenopia, Astigmatism, Photophobia, Prevalence

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