Introduction:
This study aimed to discover and document the potential of visual and ocular sequelae of computer vision syndrome (CVS) among medical students.
Methods:
This cross-sectional case-control study was conducted on medical students (n=4030) of five universities in Egypt. All students completed a specially designed and validated CVS questionnaire survey (CVS-F3). Students with ≥5 CVS symptoms constituted a risk group (n=352), while students with 1-4 CVS symptoms constituted a low-symptoms group (n=3067). Students from the control and risk groups were examined using objective methods, such as visual acuity, subjective refraction, dry eye disease tests, and anterior segment and fundus examinations. Students who complained of visual blur underwent multifocal electroretinography mfERG examinations (mfERG group).
Results:
The CVS-F3 indicated that 84.8% of students had complaints that might be related to CVS, however, our ophthalmic examination group revealed only a 56% CVS prevalence rate. The most common single screen type used by 70.4% of students was the smartphone, and the most common complaint was headache (50.2%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that CVS was significantly associated with increased screen-hours, including >2 screen-hours daily (odds ratio [OR], 2.48; P<0.0001), >2 screen-hours at night (OR, 1.79; P=0.003), and ≥3 screen-years (OR, 1.69; P=0.006). In the mfERG group, 37% demonstrated reduced amplitudes of mfERG rings and quadrants, indicating reduced foveal responses.
Conclusion:
CVS-questionnaires overestimate the true CVS prevalence and sequelae, which could be accurately detected by objective ophthalmic examination. Smartphones primarily caused CVS among students, with CVS severity increasing in correlation with shorter eye-to-screen distance and frequent use. Contact lens wearing doubled the risk of CVS development and augmented its severity. CVS might affect macular integrity with screen-induced foveal dysfunction.
Clinical Trials Registration:
PACTR201811618954630.
SUMMARY Of 2649 patients with strabismic amblyopia who attended clinics between 1941 and 1978, 1904 patients were reviewed. Of these, 115 patients had transfer of fixation after occlusion. These were analysed according to the type of transfer of fixation and relation to occlusion and age. The peripd of maximum sensitivity to short periods of occlusion extended to 18 months, declining to about 30 months of age. Sensitivity to occlusion reaches low levels about the age of 5 to 51/2 years, though it is still present to some degree, especially in patients with relatively good visual acuity of 6/36 or better. The upper limit of the sensitive period was found to be about the end of the seventh year of age.
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