Computer Vision Syndrome: Are Medical Students Exempted from It?
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Original Research Article DOI: 10.18231/2581-5016.2018.0024 Computer vision syndrome: Are medical students exempted from it? Rupali Maheshgaori1, Parag Apte2, Deepaswi Bhavsar3,*, Gaurav Bramhabhatt4, Prachi Bakre5 1Associate Professor, 2,5Assistant Professor, 3Senior Resident, 4Junior Resident, Dept. of Ophthalmology, Dr. D.Y Patil Medical College, Hospital & Research Centre, Pimpri, Pune, Maharashtra, India *Corresponding Author: Email: [email protected] Abstract Introduction: It has been observed that use of computer by medical students is increasing. Study material is becoming more digital, computers are used in many of the diagnostic tests that take place within the hospital. This study was conducted with the aim to study the prevalence, risk factors and clinical evaluation and spread awareness of computer vision syndrome among medical students. Materials and Methods: This Cross sectional study was conducted at a Medical college in Pune. The questionnaire was allotted to students in campus of medical College, those who were found to be symptomatic were further evaluated in Out Patient Department of Ophthalmology data analyzed by using SPSS software version 17.0. Statistical tools used were proportions & percentages & other appropriate. Statistical tests of significance applied. Result: the prevalence of computer vision syndrome was 54.44%. using computers for 6-8hours have higher percentage (39.12%) & duration more than 6-8 years of using computers 29.02% students suffering from computer vision syndrome (cvs). ocular & non ocular symptomps were statistically significant. Conclusion: The prevalence of computer vision syndrome amongst medical student was 54.44%. Factors to relieve symptoms were also studied and it is found that awareness of CVS definitely reduce symptoms. Keywords: Computer vision syndrome, Digital eye strain, Visual display unit. Introduction take place within the hospital as well as use of internet The digital revolution has launched a new era of has also increased concerning to study material, human empowerment, Never before has there been a surgical videos, communication, transfer of iles. more powerful influence on human behavior, Nowadays Computers are just not restricted to offices irrespective of work profile, country or culture, bys the or particular occupation but has found a way into every combined effect of digital technologies. Technological individual’s lifestyle. Thus the present study was advances create incredible new solutions, but present designed to assess the prevalence of Computer Vision new difficulties as well. Syndrome (CVS) among medical students and Computers, Ipads, cell phones with visual display modifiable ergonomic factors associated with the same. units (VDU); have made day to day activity effortless in all fields of life. All this productivity often means Materials and Methods that we spend a lot of time staring at screens: our work This study was conducted with the aim to study the computers, our home laptops, and our smartphones. prevalence, risk factors and clinical evaluation of Computers with visual display units (VDU) have been computer vision syndrome among medical students. made smarter moving from desk to mobile phones. It This cross sectional study was conducted at a has also led to increased number of patients Medical college in Pune. The study consisted of a complaining about ocular and non ocularsymptoms.1 questionnaire and ophthalmic evaluation. The The increasing use of computers has brought about a questionnaire was allotted to students in campus of much higher incidence of various health problems: medical college, for clinical evaluation students were visual complaints, ocular and extraocular discomfort examined at ophthalmology outpatient department of (headache and musculoskeletal problems.1-3 the Medical College. The duration of the study was 6 Computer Vision Syndrome, (CVS) referred to as months. All under graduate and post graduate students digital eye strain, describes a group of eye and vision- who worked daily on computers, used mobile phones related problems that result from prolonged computer, and tablets prior to starting the study were included. tablet, e-reader and cell phone use. According to the Students with history of refractive surgery and any US National Institute for Occupational Safety and other ocular surgery, students on eye drops for any Health, computer vision syndrome affects about 90% of ocular conditions at time of study were excluded. Thus the people who spend three hours or more a day at a by using the above mentioned inclusion and exclusion computer.4 It has been observed that use of computer by criteria total 709 students were enrolled. medical students is also increasing. Study material is Institute Ethics Committee Clearance was obtained becoming more digital, portable document format before starting the study. Also the permission was taken (PDF) aided lectures are taken for better understanding, from The Dean of Medical College to interview their computers arSe used in many of the diagnostic tests that students. The participants were surveyed using a IP International Journal of Ocular Oncology and Oculoplasty, April-June, 2018;4(2):93-100 93 Rupali Maheshgaori et al. Computer vision syndrome: Are medical students…. structured questionnaire based on the knowledge of Results previous studies, which included the basic demographic The present study was conducted among the profile, hours of computer use per day, frequency of medical students. Total number of students enrolled break taken while working on computers. were 709. Those who were found to be symptomatic were further evaluated in Out Patient Department of Table 1: Prevalence of CVS Ophthalmology of Medical College, Hospital and Number % Research Centre, Pune. Computer vision syndrome is CVS present 386 54.44% defined as ‘‘the complex of eye and vision problems CVS absent 323 45.56% related to near work, which are experienced during or Total 709 100 5 related to computer use has been termed “CVS”. The eye symptoms were redness, burning sensation of eye, In the present study the prevalence of computer 6,7 headache, blurred vision and dry eyes etc. these vision syndrome was 54.44%. symtoms were assesed on a likert scale like always, sometimes, never. Students’ demographic, personal Table 2: Average hours spent on computer daily details including name, age, sex, OPD number, Hrs/Day Number % occupation, place of residence, qualification was 1-2 hours 81 20.98% recorded. Also all students were evaluated for any 3-5 hours 123 31.87% systemic illness or whether they are having any past 6-8 hours 151 39.12% history of ocular trauma or history of any medication >8 hours 31 8.03% and were recorded in Pro-forma. A detailed ocular Total 386 history as well as past and personal history was recorded. General ophthalmic examination of both eyes was performed, vision assessment uncorrected visual It was seen that majority of the students suffering from computer vision syndrome were using computer, acuity [UCVA], pinhole, best corrected visual acuity laptop, mobile phone daily (VDU) for 6-8hours [BCVA], near vision were assesed using Snellen’s chart, anterior segment examination was done on Slit (39.12%) followed by 3-5hours (31.87%) and 1-2 hours lamp, Fundus examination through undiated pupil was (20.98%). done on slit lamp with aid of +90 Diopter lens. For staining tests fluroscein impregnated strips were used, Table 3. Duration of computer use Tear break up time (TBUT) is recorded A TBUT value Duration of computer use <10 s was considered abnormal. Schirmer test was Duration Number % performed without topical anesthesia using <1 year 5 1.30% standardized Whatman filter paper.8,9 1-2 years 62 16.06% . 3-5 years 110 28.50% Data Collection: 6-8 years 112 29.02% Step I: Designing of Questionnaire. >8 years 97 25.13% A semi-structured questionnaire was prepared and Total 386 validated with study subject and study expert in peer and modified with reference to study objectives. It was observed that 29.02% students suffering Step II: The semi-structured questionnaire was from computer vision syndrome were using computers administered to the medical students who meet the with visual display units since 6-8years whereas eligibility criteria 28.50% students using computers since 3-5 years. Step III: Information was obtained from students Majority of the medical students were using computers including personal baseline data profile, Symptoms & with VDU since 3-8 years. Signs of computer vision syndrome were looked for in opd. Table 4: CVS symptoms Data Analysis: Data analysis of the present study Symptoms Number % includes following steps. Headache 206 53.37% Step I: all responses were tabulated by the investigator using Microsoft-Excel 2007 Software. Graphical Eye strain 178 46.11% representations were made wherever necessary. Dry eye 150 38.86% Step II: Data analyzed by using SPSS software version Blurred vision 119 30.83% 17.0. Statistical tools used were proportions & Watery eye 51 13.21% percentages & other appropriate. Statistical tests of Red eye 21 5.44% significance. Discomfort 9 2.33% Double vision 2 0.52% IP International Journal of Ocular Oncology and Oculoplasty, April-June, 2018;4(2):93-100 94 Rupali Maheshgaori et al. Computer vision syndrome: Are medical students…. The most common presenting symptom observed among the study students was headache (53.37%) Table 5: Non-ocular symptoms observed in students followed by eye strain (46.11%) and dry eye (38.86%). along