Short answer

Incorporate visual comfort and ergonomic principles into the design of digital interfaces, particularly for prolonged use scenarios like remote learning.

Field: Human Factors
Source: Journal of Education, Health and Sport (2026)
Method: Narrative Review
Evidence: Strong effect

Increased screen time due to remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic significantly elevated the prevalence of digital eye strain symptoms among students. This human factors research insight is drawn from a 2026 study published in Journal of Education, Health and Sport. Using Narrative review, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Incorporate visual comfort and ergonomic principles into the design of digital interfaces, particularly for prolonged use scenarios like remote learning.

Study

Human FactorsNew This WeekStrong effect

Remote Learning Amplifies Digital Eye Strain Risks

Increased screen time due to remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic significantly elevated the prevalence of digital eye strain symptoms among students.

Journal of Education, Health and Sport · 2026

Key Findings

01Prolonged screen-based education during the pandemic was generally associated with a higher prevalence of DES-related symptoms in student populations.
02The COVID-19 pandemic amplified pre-existing screen-related risk factors for DES rather than introducing a novel condition.
03The available evidence is predominantly observational and relies on self-reported data and subjective symptom measures, with significant heterogeneity in definitions and assessment tools.

Application

Design takeaway

Incorporate visual comfort and ergonomic principles into the design of digital interfaces, particularly for prolonged use scenarios like remote learning.

How to apply

When designing educational software, remote work tools, or any digital product requiring prolonged user interaction, consider implementing features that reduce eye strain, such as adaptive display settings and user-guided break prompts.

Project actions

01When researching user comfort, consider the impact of screen time and digital interface design.
02Investigate existing digital tools for features that might contribute to or alleviate eye strain.

Method & Evidence

AimTo evaluate the relationship between remote learning, increased screen time during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the risk of Digital Eye Strain (DES).

MethodNarrative Review

ProcedureThe review synthesized existing evidence from studies conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic that investigated the association between prolonged screen-based education, increased screen time, and the occurrence of DES symptoms in student populations.

ContextEducational technology and remote learning environments.

Variables

IVRemote learning, Increased screen time during COVID-19 pandemic

DVDigital Eye Strain (DES) symptoms (visual fatigue, ocular discomfort/dryness, blurred/fluctuating vision, headache)

CVPre-existing screen-related risk factors, Heterogeneity in outcome definitions and assessment tools

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Highlights a significant real-world impact of digital technology use.
+Synthesizes findings across multiple studies related to a specific context (pandemic remote learning).

Limitations

Self-reported data can be subjective and may not accurately reflect actual screen time or symptom severity. The review did not differentiate between educational and recreational screen use.

Reliability & validity

The review's findings are limited by the observational nature of the included studies and the reliance on subjective symptom reporting, which can affect both reliability and validity. The heterogeneity in assessment tools further complicates direct comparisons.

Think critically

How can design interventions differentiate between necessary educational screen time and optional recreational screen time to better manage digital eye strain?

Design Principles

"Digital interfaces intended for extended use should be designed to minimize visual fatigue and discomfort."

This highlights a critical human factors issue in educational technology and remote work setups. Designers and engineers must consider the long-term visual health implications of digital interfaces and prolonged screen use, especially in environments that necessitate extended digital engagement.

What This Means for Your Design

Spending more time on screens for school during the pandemic made many students' eyes tired and uncomfortable, showing that how we design digital tools matters for our eyes.

How to use in your project

1.Use this research to justify the importance of user comfort and visual ergonomics in your design project.
2.Cite this study when discussing the potential negative impacts of prolonged screen use on users.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

The COVID-19 pandemic's shift to remote learning significantly increased screen time, leading to a higher prevalence of digital eye strain symptoms among students. This highlights the critical need for designers to prioritize visual ergonomics and implement features that mitigate eye strain in digital interfaces to ensure user well-being during prolonged digital engagement.

Source

Journal of Education, Health and Sport

Remote learning and increased screen time during the COVID-19 pandemic as risk factors for Digital Eye Strain: a review

journal · 2026

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about remote learning amplifies digital eye strain risks?: Incorporate visual comfort and ergonomic principles into the design of digital interfaces, particularly for prolonged use scenarios like remote learning. Evidence: Journal of Education, Health and Sport (2026).
Why does "Remote Learning Amplifies Digital Eye Strain Risks" matter for design?: This highlights a critical human factors issue in educational technology and remote work setups. Designers and engineers must consider the long-term visual health implications of digital interfaces and prolonged screen use, especially in environments that necessitate extended digital engagement.
How can designers apply this research?: Incorporate visual comfort and ergonomic principles into the design of digital interfaces, particularly for prolonged use scenarios like remote learning.
What were the main findings?: Prolonged screen-based education during the pandemic was generally associated with a higher prevalence of DES-related symptoms in student populations.. The COVID-19 pandemic amplified pre-existing screen-related risk factors for DES rather than introducing a novel condition.. The available evidence is predominantly observational and relies on self-reported data and subjective symptom measures, with significant heterogeneity in definitions and assessment tools.
What research method was used?: Narrative Review.
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2026 journal from Journal of Education, Health and Sport.
What should I do differently in my next project?: When designing educational software, remote work tools, or any digital product requiring prolonged user interaction, consider implementing features that reduce eye strain, such as adaptive display settings and user-guided break prompts.
What are the limitations?: The evidence reviewed is largely observational, relies on self-reported data, and lacks objective measures of visual behaviour and ocular health.