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Research Article | Volume 7 Issue 1 (January-June, 2026) | Pages 1 - 5
Etiological Analysis of the Incident of Computer Vision Syndrome (Cvs) in Students of the Faculty of Medical Muhammadiyah University Semarang
 ,
 ,
 ,
1
Student at the Faculty of Medicine, Muhammadiyah University, Semarang, Indonesia
2
Teaching Staff, Faculty of Medicine, Muhammadiyah University, Semarang, Indonesia
Under a Creative Commons license
Open Access
Received
Nov. 14, 2025
Revised
Dec. 16, 2025
Accepted
Jan. 2, 2026
Published
Jan. 20, 2026
Abstract

Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) is an eye and extraocular health disorder that arises due to prolonged use of digital devices. This study aims to analyze the etiology of CVS incidence in students of the Faculty of Medicine, Muhammadiyah University of Semarang. The study used a quantitative cross-sectional design with a sample of 128 respondents selected via random sampling. Data were collected using the CVS-Q questionnaire and direct measurements of light intensity and working position. The results of univariate analysis showed a prevalence of CVS of 57%, with the most dominant symptoms being headaches (69.5%) and blurred vision (64.8%). The Chi-Square test results showed that laptop screen distance (p = 0.001) and eye angle (p = 0.003) were significantly associated with the incidence of CVS. In contrast, the variables of room lighting (p = 0.781), laptop brightness (p = 0.597), and body position (p = 0.647) were not statistically significant. Multivariate analysis confirmed that eye angle was the most influential factor in the risk of CVS. This study concluded that ergonomic eye-screen adjustment is a key factor in preventing digital visual fatigue. Students are advised to pay attention to viewing distance and eye elevation when using digital devices to maintain the visual system's operational efficiency.

Keywords
INTRODUCTION

The internet has been widely used in 2020, with internet usage in Indonesia reaching 26.09% of active internet users, where the largest overall internet user is in Kalimantan at 21.27%. With internet usage, there will certainly be an increase in time spent in front of Video Display Terminals (VDTs) which are usually monitor screens such as laptops. Increased use of VDTs can cause various health problems that are not only visual problems but can also cause musculoskeletal problems such as Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) [1]. CVS is a common phenomenon among digital device users. More than 90% of laptop users experience symptoms in their vision, such as blurred vision, tired eyes, ocular discomfort, dry eyes, dizziness, and when looking at close distances after using a computer, where these symptoms are symptoms of CVS. CVS is also known as digital eye strain or visual fatigue caused by continuously being in front of various types of laptops or other types of digital screens. The causes of CVS are divided into three categories: visual symptoms, symptoms from the digital screen itself, and symptoms resulting from the ocular surface. CVS encompasses a variety of nonspecific symptoms such as eyestrain, eye strain, blurred vision, pain around the eyes, double vision or diplopia, and headaches. Eye fatigue (asthenopia) and dry eyes are the main symptoms of CVS. These complaints can be linked to the use of Visual Display Terminals (VDTs), which are devices classified as VDTs, namely the screen monitors on electronic devices such as laptops, smartphones, tablets, and so on. According to research by Fadilah and Maharsi, CVS-related complaints are experienced by 85% of students who work in front of laptops [1]. CVS symptoms can be exacerbated by factors such as inadequate digital device use. The prevalence of visual symptoms increases significantly among those using laptops in inadequate lighting [2].

 

In general, workspaces with VDTs use brighter lighting. Furthermore, Research by Armin and Herlina found that 93% of respondents experienced CVS, such as eye fatigue. This was due   to   the   respondents’   habit  of   working   with inadequate laptop lighting or bright light [3]. Using a bright laptop can cause glare and reduce the eyes’ ability to focus their vision on the monitor. So the monitor's brightness must be balanced with the surrounding space. Generally, the lighting level is 300-500 lux. This complaint was also experienced by students of the Faculty of Medicine in a study conducted by Ananda and Eri, which found that 85% of them had tired eyes, then 52.1% had dry eyes, 62.9% had blurred eyes, 63.6% had headaches, 47.1% had sore eyes, 53.6% had watery eyes, 29.3% had double vision, and 45.7% had difficulty focusing their vision [4].

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study is quantitative and cross-sectional. This study aims to investigate the dynamics between risk factors and outcomes by using and collecting data. Each sample or subject is observed, and measurements are made of the subject's character status or variables at the time of examination. The population in this study consisted of undergraduate students of the Faculty of Medicine, Muhammadiyah University of Semarang, in the 2023 academic year. This study sample consisted of 128students from the Faculty of Medicine at Muhammadiyah University of Semarang, using simple random sampling from the population.

RESULTS

Table 1 shows that the most respondents had an ideal distance of 81 people 63.3%, while 47 36.7% had a distance that was not ideal. Most  respondents  had   ideal  room lighting 95 people, 74.2%, and 33 people 25.8% had non-ideal lighting. Most respondents were students whose laptop brightness was ideal 84 people, 65.6%, and those whose brightness was not ideal were 44 people 34.4%. Most respondents were students whose body position was not ideal 90, 70.3%, and those whose body position was ideal were 38 29.7%. Most respondents were students whose eye angles were not ideal 87, 68%, and 41 32% had ideal eye angles. Most respondents were students who experienced CVS 57% and those who did not 43%.

 

Table 1: Respondent Characteristics

CharacteristicsFrequencyPercentage

Distance

Ideal

Not ideal

 

81

47

 

63.3

36.7

Room lighting

Ideal

Not ideal

 

95

33

 

74.2

25.8

Laptop brightness

Ideal

Not ideal

 

84

44

 

65.6

34.4

Body position

Ideal

Not ideal

 

38

90

 

29.7

70.3

Corner of the eye

Ideal

Not ideal

 

41

87

 

32

68

CVS

Positive

Negative

 

73

55

 

57

43

Total128100

 

Table 2 shows that the most common symptom of CVS was headaches, reported by 89 students 69.5%, while the fewest reported seeing colored halos around objects, reported by 10 students 7.8%.

 

Table 2: Characteristics of CVS Symptoms

SymptomFrequency (N = 128)Percentage

Meta burns

Positive

Negative

 

71

57

 

68.8

31.3

Itchy eyes

Positive

Negative

 

76

52

 

59.4

40.6

Feels like there is a foreign object in the eye

positive

negative

 

41

87

 

32

68

Excessive eye blinking

Positive

Negative

 

50

78

 

39.1

60.9

Red eye

Positive

Negative

 

68

60

 

53.1

46.9

Sore eyes

Positive

Negative

 

47.7

52.3

 

47.7

52.3

Eyelids feel heavy

Positive

Negative

 

49

79

 

38.3

61.7

Dry eyes

Positive

Negative

 

72

56

 

43.8

56.3

Blurred vision

Positive

Negative

 

83

45

 

64.8

35.2

Double vision

Positive

Negative

 

34

94

 

26.6

73.4

Difficulty in focusing vision on objects that are close to the eye

positive

negative

 

 

34

94

 

 

26.6

73.4

sensitivity to light or photophobia

positive

negative

 

23

105

 

18

82

Colored halos around objects

Positive

negative

 

10

118

 

7.8

92.2

worsening vision

positive

negative

 

47

81

 

36.7

63.3

headache

positive

negative

 

89

39

 

69.5

30.5

 

Bivariate Analysis

Based on Table 3, the p-value = 0.001 (p<0.05); H0 is rejected. Therefore, there is a significant relationship between screen distance and the occurrence of CVS among students of the Faculty of Medicine, Muhammadiyah University of Semarang.

 

Table 3: Results of the Test of the Relationship between Screen Distance and CVS Incidents

Screen DistanceCVSAmountp-Value
CVS (+)CVS (-)
n%n%
Ideal3728.94435.2810.001
Not ideal3628.1117.847

 

Table 4 shows that the p-value is 0.781 (p>0.05); therefore, H0 is accepted. Therefore, there is no significant relationship between room light levels and the incidence of CVS in students of the Faculty of Medicine, Muhammadiyah University of Semarang.

 

Table 4: Results of the Test of the Relationship between Room Light and the Occurrence of CVS

Room lightingCVSAmountp-Value
CVS (+)CVS (-)
n%n%
Ideal5341.14232.2950.781
Not ideal2015.61310.233

 

Table 5 shows that the p-value is 0.597 (p>0.05); therefore, H0 is accepted. Therefore, there is no significant relationship between laptop brightness and the incidence of CVS in students of the Faculty of Medicine, Muhammadiyah University of Semarang.

 

Table 5: Results of the Test of the Relationship between Laptop Brightness and CVS Incidents

Laptop brightnessCVSAmountp-Value
CVS (+)CVS (-)
n%n%
Ideal4635.93829.7840.597
Not ideal2721.11713.344

 

Table 6 shows that the p-value is 0.647 (p>0.05); therefore, H0 is accepted. Therefore, there is no significant relationship between body position and the incidence of CVS in students of the Faculty of Medicine, Muhammadiyah University of Semarang.

 

Table 6: Results of the Test of the Relationship between Body Position and the Occurrence of CVS

Body positionCVSAmountp-value
CVS (+)CVS (-)
n%n%
Ideal2015.61814.1380.647
Not ideal5341.13728.990

 

Table 7 shows that the p-value is 0.647 (p>0.05), so H0 is not rejected. Therefore, there is no significant relationship between body position and the incidence of CVS in students of the Faculty of Medicine, Muhammadiyah University of Semarang.

 

Table 7: Results of the Test of the Relationship between Body Position and the Occurrence of CVS

Corner of the eyeCVSAmountp-value
CVS (+)CVS (-)
n%n%
Ideal1511.72620.3410.003
Not ideal5845.32922.787

 

 Based on Table 8, the multivariate logistic regression results show that the most influential independent variable for CVS is the angle of the eye, with an Exp (B) value of 0.282, compared with the distance of the monitor screen.

 

Table 8: Results of the Multivariate Analysis of the Causes of CVS Events

VariablesCoefficientp-valueExp (B) (IK95%)
screen distance-1,3800.0010.252
Corner of the eye-1.2660.0020.282
Constant1,6170.0005,040
DISCUSSION

Based on Table 3, the screen distance on the monitor when using a laptop is significantly associated with the occurrence of CVS, with a p-value of 0.001 among students of the Faculty of Medicine, Muhammadiyah University of Semarang. This result was also obtained in a study by Aulia Haydar, which found a less-than-ideal distance from the monitor screen among students of the Faculty of Medicine, Sultan Agung University of Semarang, with a p-value p 0.02 [5]. This is because insufficient distance from the monitor screen can cause contraction of the ciliary muscle, which can lead to asthenopia, blurred vision, and dry eyes [6].

 

Based on Table 4, the lighting in the room when using a laptop is not associated with the occurrence of CVS among students of the Faculty of Medicine, Muhammadiyah University of Semarang, with a p-value of 0.781. These results are in line with the Research of Srilalilun et al., which found no significant relationship with room lighting (p = 0.09). This study supports the conclusion that the occurrence of CVS is mainly influenced by the duration factor [7].

 

Based on Table 5, laptop brightness is not associated with the occurrence of CVS among students from the Faculty of Medicine, Muhammadiyah University of Semarang. The p-value is 0.597. This is consistent with Hassan Gadain’s Research, which found no significant relationship between brightness and the incidence of CVS (p = 0.174). This is supported by Research by Srilaluin et al., which stated that the duration of laptop use primarily influences the incidence of CVS.

 

Based on Table 6, body position when using a laptop is not associated with the occurrence of CVS among students of the Faculty of Medicine, Muhammadiyah University of Semarang (p = 0.647). The results of this study are in line with Research conducted by Aulia Haydar, which found no significant relationship between body position and the occurrence of CVS (p = 0.493). This is supported by Srilaluin’s Research, which shows that the duration of laptop use mainly influences the occurrence of CVS.

 

Based on Table 7, the angle of the eyes when using a laptop is associated with the occurrence of CVS among students of the Faculty of Medicine, Muhammadiyah University of Semarang, with a p-value of 0.003. The results of this study are in line with Research conducted by Debby et al., which has a p-value of 0.047. This is because if the angle of the eyes is higher than 10 °, it requires a chin-up posture with tension produced by the trapezius m.

CONCLUSION
  • Among the students of the Faculty of Medicine, Muhammadiyah University of Semarang, it was found that the most common CVS complaints were headaches and the least were colored halos around objects

  • The distance to the laptop monitor screen can affect the occurrence of CVS in students of the Faculty of Medicine, Muhammadiyah University of Semarang

  • Room lighting does not significantly affect the incidence of CVS in students of the Faculty of Medicine, Muhammadiyah University of Semarang

  • brightness does not affect the occurrence of CVS in students of the Faculty of Medicine, Muhammadiyah University of Semarang

  • Body position when using a laptop does not affect the incidence of CVS in students of the Faculty of Medicine, Muhammadiyah University of Semarang

  • The angle of the eyes when using a laptop does not affect the occurrence of CVS in students of the Faculty of Medicine, Muhammadiyah University of Semarang

 

Conflicts of Interest

The author declares that there is no conflict of interest related to the publication of this article.

 

Acknowledgment

The authors would like to thank the Faculty of Medicine, Muhammadiyah University of Semarang, for granting permission and providing full support for this Research. We also thank Wahyu Ratna Martiningsih, S.Ked., Andra Novitasari, S.Ked., and Swasty, S.Ked., as supervisors who provided invaluable guidance, support, and contributions in completing this Research. We also thank the Faculty of Medicine, Muhammadiyah University of Semarang, for providing facilities and support in completing this Research.

REFERENCE
  1. Nurhikma, G. et al. “The effect of the 20-20-20 method on reducing computer vision syndrome (CVS) symptoms.” Faletehan Health Journal, vol. 9, no. 3, 2022, pp. 298–307.

  2. Nadia, A.S. et al. “The relationship between the duration of portable computer use and the incidence of computer vision syndrome in students of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Jambi, in 2020.” Medical Dedication: Journal of Community Service FKIK UNJA, vol. 4, no. 1, 2021, pp. 179–184.

  3. Halawa, E.M. and Zaluchu, R.P. “Description of symptoms of computer vision syndrome.” NJM, vol. 8, no. 1, 2022, pp. 39–42.

  4. Fadilah, A. and Maharsi, E.D. “The effect of using digital devices on the emergence of computer vision syndrome in medical faculty students.” vol. 1, no. 3, 2022, pp. 318–330.

  5. Valentina, D.C.D. et al. “Risk factors of computer vision syndrome in computer science students, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Lampung.” JIMKI, 2019.

  6. Wolffsohn, J.S. et al. “TFOS lifestyle: Impact of the digital environment on the ocular surface.” The Ocular Surface, vol. 28, April 2023, pp. 213–252.

  7. Naota, S.K. et al. “Factors associated with eye fatigue symptoms in computer operators at the Manpower and Transmigration Office of Central Sulawesi Province.” Journal of Collaborative Science, vol. 1, no. 1, 2019, pp. 268–282.
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Etiological Analysis of the Incident of Computer Vision Syndrome (Cvs) in Students of the Faculty of Medical Muhammadiyah University Semarang © 2026 by Anang Kriswantoro, Wahju Ratna Martiningsih, Andra Novitasari, Swasty licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
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