TY - JOUR AU - Noreen, Khola AU - Ali, Kashif AU - Aftab, Kausar AU - Umar, Muhammad PY - 2020/11/30 Y2 - 2024/03/28 TI - Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) and its Associated Risk Factors among Undergraduate Medical Students in Midst of COVID-19: Doi: 10.36351/pjo.v37i1.1124 JF - Pakistan Journal of Ophthalmology JA - pak J Ophthalmol VL - 37 IS - 1 SE - Original Articles DO - 10.36351/pjo.v37i1.1124 UR - https://pjo.org.pk/index.php/pjo/article/view/1124 SP - AB - <p><strong>Purpose:&nbsp;&nbsp;</strong>To determine the frequency of computer vision syndrome and its associated risk factors among under graduate medical students.</p><p><strong>Study Design:&nbsp;&nbsp;</strong>Descriptive Cross–sectional study.</p><p><strong>Place and Duration of Study:&nbsp;&nbsp;</strong>Gujranwala Medical College and Rawalpindi Medical University, Pakistan from 5th August to 28th August, 2020.</p><p><strong>Methods:</strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;A validated self-designed questionnaire was used for this study. The survey instrument was tailored from a published questionnaire which comprised of questions on demographics, frequency of symptoms of computer vision syndrome, pattern of computer usage and ergonomic practices.</p><p><strong>Results:</strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;Final analysis was run on 326 under graduate medical students. Females were 228 (69%) and 98 (30%) were males. Age of the participants ranged between 17 to 25 years. Overall frequency of CVS was found to be 98.7%. Twenty nine percent students experienced extra ocular complaints and 71% had ocular symptoms. Symptoms of CVS were more commonly observed among those using desktop/laptop at less than forearm length (p = 0.001). Distance of &lt; 12 inches from mobile phone was found to be associated with eye irritation and neck shoulder pain (p = 0.001). Frequency of break of more than 60 minutes was found to be significantly associated with eye irritation (p = 0.002) and excessive blinking and light sensitivity (p = 0.001). The students not using ergonomically comfortable chair were found to suffer more with&nbsp; symptoms of CVS as compared to those using ergonomically designed chair (p = 0.049).</p><p><strong>Conclusion:</strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;Health issues related to excessive use of digital devices has become alarmingly high during COVID-19 pandemic. Symptoms of CVS are significantly associated with distance from digital device and less frequent break intervals.</p><p><strong>Key Words:&nbsp;&nbsp;</strong>COVID-19, Computer Vision Syndrome, Digital eye syndrome, ergonomics, visual display terminals.</p> ER -