Effect of Bates Method versus Tibetan Eye Chart Exercise on Digital Eye Strain among Students: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract

Context: Digital eye strain (DES) is a visible growing condition that has increased dramatically during the lockdown period, resulting in early visual impairments. Aims: The purpose of this study was to use a standardized computer vision syndrome questionnaire (CVS-Q) to assess the effect of the Bates method and Tibetan Eye Chart Exercise on DES among students. Settings and Design: A randomized clinical trial study was conducted at the health-care institution in Belagavi which included students aged between 19 and 25 years. Subjects and Methods: A total of 44 students with DES aged between 19 and 25 years were randomly allocated into Groups A and B. Group A was intervened with Bates method, whereas Group B was intervened with Tibetan Eye Chart Exercises for the duration of 3 weeks, 5 days per week followed by postevaluation using Computer Vision Syndrome Questionnaire. Statistical Analysis Used: The statistical analysis for within-group pre- and posttest for Bates method and Tibetan eye chart exercise was done using the Wilcoxon test. Results: In Group A, a statistical significant change was observed in components such as burning (P = 0.011), itching (P = 0.002), excessive blinking (P = 0.002), eye pain (P = 0.001), heavy eyelids (P = 0.011), increased sensitivity to light (P = 0.030), and headache (P = 0.001), whereas in Group B, only headache component has shown statistically significant improvement (P = 0.002). In between-group analysis for CVS-Q, both the groups showed statistically significant change with P = 0.001 for Group A and 0.003 for Group B. Conclusion: According to the results of this study, the Bates method is more beneficial in reducing DES as compared to Tibetan Eye Chart Exercise.