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Indian Journal of Ophthalmology Jan 2024This study aimed to determine the prevalence, risk factors, symptoms, and awareness of computer vision syndrome (CVS) among medical students during the coronavirus... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
PURPOSE
This study aimed to determine the prevalence, risk factors, symptoms, and awareness of computer vision syndrome (CVS) among medical students during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
METHODS
A cross-sectional observational study was conducted among 283 undergraduate medical students at a tertiary healthcare center. An electronic survey was conducted to collect the data. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 23). The Chi-square test (Fisher's exact test when required) was used to study the significance of associations. A P value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.
RESULTS
A high prevalence of CVS was observed in which 92% reported at least one symptom while using a digital device, the most frequent being eye strain (49%). Among extraocular complaints, joint pain in the wrist and fingers was most frequent. Significant association (P < 0.05) of CVS was found with increased duration of digital device usage, refractive error, use of glasses or contact lens, preexisting dry eye disease, and use of topical eye drops. 37% of the participants were aware of the 20-20-20 rule, while only 11% followed it.
CONCLUSION
CVS is a common health concern among medical students. Hence, to increase the productivity of work, significant risk factors need to be addressed and awareness must be raised.
Topics: Humans; Pandemics; Students, Medical; Computer-Assisted Instruction; Cross-Sectional Studies; COVID-19; Asthenopia
PubMed: 38131578
DOI: 10.4103/IJO.IJO_492_23 -
BMC Ophthalmology Dec 2023Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) is a complex of eye and visual problems that arise while using a computer or other Video Display Terminal (DVT). With the advent of the...
BACKGROUND
Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) is a complex of eye and visual problems that arise while using a computer or other Video Display Terminal (DVT). With the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of these DVTs has become indispensable in the lives of students and teachers. This study aims to identify the prevalence of CVS and associated factors in students and teachers at Lúrio University, in Nampula, during the pandemic period.
METHODS
This is a cross-sectional study, carried out between November 2020 and March 2021. The validated CVS questionnaire (CVS-Q) and another semi-structured questionnaire on ergonomic risk factors were applied. Odds ratios (OR) and adjusted odds ratios (aOR) were calculated to measure the association between CVS and computer use conditions.
RESULTS
The prevalence of CVS was 76.6%, and the female gender, age ≤ 20 years, levels I, II, III of course, lack of knowledge about ergonomics, use the computer to study, use more than 6 hours daily, absence of anti-reflex treatment, use of other devices and sitting in an inappropriate chair were risk factors for the occurrence of CVS, while being a teacher was a protective factor.
CONCLUSION
The prevalence of CVS found in this study was high, due to several factors, especially not using ergonomic principles when using computers and other DVTs. There is a need to adopt intervention strategies focused on the most vulnerable groups such as women, age group ≤20 years and students, especially at the first year level, right after entering the University.
Topics: Humans; Female; Young Adult; Adult; Cross-Sectional Studies; Universities; Mozambique; Pandemics; Asthenopia; Syndrome; Surveys and Questionnaires; Computers; Students
PubMed: 38093208
DOI: 10.1186/s12886-023-03253-0 -
An enhanced model for environmental dry eye: Exploring pathological features and underlying factors.Experimental Eye Research Feb 2024This study aimed to develop an enhanced environmental dry eye (EDE) model that accurately reproduces the etiology of prolonged visual fatigue and investigates the...
This study aimed to develop an enhanced environmental dry eye (EDE) model that accurately reproduces the etiology of prolonged visual fatigue and investigates the underlying pathological features. A total of 40 adult SPF-grade Wistar rats were randomly assigned to control (n = 20) and model (n = 20) groups. Rats in the control group were maintained under normal conditions, while rats in the model group were exposed to a controlled frontal airflow of 2-4 m/s from a fan for 7.5 h daily while placed on a suspended cylindrical wire mesh frame. Various assessments were performed at different time points during the 14-day experiment, including blink frequency, tear secretion (phenol red thread test), tear film breakup time (BUT), fluorescein staining (FL), corneal epithelial status (light microscopy), ultrastructure of corneal epithelial cells (electron microscopy), and expression levels of inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α) in tears (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). Additionally, mRNA and protein expression levels of MMP-9, IL1β, IL6, TNF-α, IFN-γ, and caspase-3 in corneal tissues were quantified (real-time quantitative PCR and Western blotting). Compared to the control group, the model group rats exhibited significant decreases in blink frequency (P < 0.001), tear secretion (Schirmer I test) values (P < 0.001), and tear film breakup time levels (P < 0.001). There was also a significant increase in fluorescein staining scores (P < 0.001) in the model group. Histological examination revealed distinct differences of the corneal epithelium between groups. The corneal epithelium of the model group appeared thicker, with disorganized cell arrangement in the superficial and basal layers, partial defects or detachment of superficial epithelial cells, and a rough, uneven surface. Scanning electron microscopy observations showed a rough corneal epithelial surface with numerous cracks and scattered vesicular-like structures in the model group. Furthermore, the model group rats exhibited a significant increase in expression of IL-1β and TNF-α in tears (P < 0.001), and upregulated expression levels of MMP-9, TNF-α, IL-1β, caspase-3, IL-6, and IFN-γ at both the mRNA and protein levels in corneal tissues (P < 0.001). In conclusion, the modified "wire-meshing cylindrical board" model effectively overcomes the limitations of the traditional "jogging board " dry eye model and successfully simulates the etiology of prolonged visual fatigue. This innovative EDE model demonstrates a high degree of relevance to dry eye conditions resulting from prolonged visual tasks, with a high success rate of model induction. Moreover, it proves to be a simple, practical, and easily replicable model, making it highly suitable for further studies on prolonged visual fatigue and facilitating its widespread adoption in research and clinical applications.
Topics: Rats; Animals; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9; Caspase 3; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; Asthenopia; Rats, Wistar; Dry Eye Syndromes; Tears; Fluorescein; Interleukin-1beta; RNA, Messenger
PubMed: 38072354
DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2023.109744 -
International Journal of Ophthalmology 2023To develop the 17-item Asthenopia Survey Questionnaire (ASQ)-17 by Rasch analysis, and to generate a predictiveness score.
AIM
To develop the 17-item Asthenopia Survey Questionnaire (ASQ)-17 by Rasch analysis, and to generate a predictiveness score.
METHODS
Totally 739 participants were recruited and 680 were involved in the result analysis in this prospective, cross-sectional study. Three rounds of Rasch analysis were used to analyze the psychometric characteristics of items and options.
RESULTS
Phase 1 assessed the original ASQ-19, adjusted the item scoring mode to a four-point Likert response rating scale and combined the 18 and 19 items into a new item. Phase 2 deleted the 11 item. Phases 3 and 4 assessed the new ASQ-17. All the evaluation indexes of ASQ-17 were acceptable. The Infit and Outfit MnSq values of items were 0.67-1.48, the variance explained by the principal component and the unexplained variance explained by the first contrast were 53.90%-59.40% and 1.50-1.80 in three dimensions. The curve peaks of scores in each dimension were separated and in the same order. The PSR and PSI values were 2.80 and 0.89, respectively. The mean scores of dimensions A (9.5±4.1 3.5±3.2), B (7.3±3.3 2.5±2.7), C (4.3±2.2 1.4±2.0) and total (21.1±8.1 7.4±7.0) in asthenopia participants were significantly higher than those without asthenopia (all <0.001). The area under the curve in two groups was 0.899 (<0.001). Youden's index was up to the maximum value of 0.784 when the cut-off value was 12.5.
CONCLUSION
ASQ-17 has stronger option sorting and suitability than ASQ-19. It is an effective assessment tool for asthenopia with an optimal cut-off threshold value of 12.5, which is suitable for diagnosis and curative effect evaluation.
PubMed: 38028524
DOI: 10.18240/ijo.2023.11.20 -
Frontiers in Public Health 2023This study aimed to assess the prevalence of Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) among children and adolescents in Qatar during the period of remote learning and explore the...
AIM
This study aimed to assess the prevalence of Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) among children and adolescents in Qatar during the period of remote learning and explore the associated factors and discuss some digital health remedies that might reduce the risk.
METHODS
We conducted an analytical cross-sectional study between June and August 2022 by collecting data via telephone interviews with parents of selected students utilizing the Computer Vision Syndrome Questionnaire (CVS-Q).
RESULTS
We completed 1,546 interviews. The mean age of the students was (11 ± 2), male: female ratio was almost 1:1. About one quarter (368, 23.8%) of parents reported a previous diagnosis of visual disturbances among their children with over 88% of them wearing eyeglasses or medical contact lenses. The prevalence of CVS in our sample was about 8% (95%CI: 6.8-9.6). Mother's employment, having positive history of visual disturbances, and excess screen time were found to be significant predictors of CVS.
CONCLUSION
Health care providers in collaboration with teachers should provide parents with evidence-based strategies to prevent or minimize the digital eye strain among students. In the landscape of remote learning, the implementation of digital remedies emerges as a proactive approach to mitigate the risk of digital eye strain.
Topics: Child; Adolescent; Humans; Male; Female; Cross-Sectional Studies; Asthenopia; Students; Computers; Syndrome
PubMed: 38026296
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1273886 -
Journal of Medicine and Life Aug 2023Binocular vision anomalies are major causes of asthenopia symptoms, particularly among the younger population. This study aimed to report the clinical characteristics of...
Binocular vision anomalies are major causes of asthenopia symptoms, particularly among the younger population. This study aimed to report the clinical characteristics of Sudanese patients with binocular disorders who attended the orthoptic clinic at Al-Neelain Eye Hospital. In this retrospective hospital-based study, we analyzed data from 304 patients with binocular vision anomalies who visited the orthoptic clinic between October 2020 and June 2021. We collected information on demographics, symptoms, and eye tests such as visual acuity (VA), refractive error (RE), angle of deviation, and the assessment of fusional vergence. Our findings indicated that exophoria was the most common binocular vision anomaly, affecting 79.8% of males and 71.6% of females (p=0.731). Children between 6 and 17 years old showed the highest prevalence of exophoria (75.9%) (p=0.0001). Among patients with exophoria, 100% reported itching associated with tearing during fixation, while 89.5% experienced difficulty in fixation. Refractive error varied by the type of binocular vision disorders (p=0.0001), with higher hyperopia observed in cases of unilateral esotropia and alternate esotropia (+3.571±1.238 D and +3.023±1.553 D, respectively). Positive fusional vergence (PFV) differed by types of binocular vision disorders (p=0.0001) with high PFV in esophoria (18.063±6.848∆) compared to low PFV in exophoria (12.80±5.313∆). The most common types of exophoria were convergence weakness exophoria (45.39%), followed by convergence insufficiency (20.39%). The study concluded that exophoria was the most common binocular vision anomaly among Sudanese patients, with convergence weakness and convergence insufficiency being the predominant anomalies. Headache was commonly prevalent among patients with binocular vision problems. Higher hyperopia was found in esodeviation, while low PFV was associated with exodeviation.
Topics: Male; Child; Female; Humans; Adolescent; Vision, Binocular; Esotropia; Exotropia; Hyperopia; Retrospective Studies; Convergence, Ocular; Ocular Motility Disorders; Refractive Errors
PubMed: 38024832
DOI: 10.25122/jml-2023-0132 -
Metabolites Oct 2023Asthenopia is a syndrome based on the symptoms of eye discomfort that has become a chronic disease that interferes with and harms people's physical and mental health....
Asthenopia is a syndrome based on the symptoms of eye discomfort that has become a chronic disease that interferes with and harms people's physical and mental health. Lutein is an internationally recognized "eye nutrient", and studies have shown that it can protect the retina and relieve visual fatigue. In this study, lutein was extracted from marigold ( L.) and saponified. The purified lutein concentration measured by HPLC was 50.12 mg/100 g. Then, purified lutein was modified to be water-soluble by nanoscale modification and microencapsulation technology. Water-soluble lutein was then mixed with a leaching solution of Chinese wolfberry and chrysanthemum to make a functional beverage. The effects of this beverage on hepatic antioxidant enzymes and the alleviation of visual fatigue in a rat model of diabetes were investigated for 4 weeks. Lutein intake of 0.72 (medium-lutein beverage group) and 1.44 mg/mL (high-lutein beverage group) relieved visual fatigue, ameliorated turbidity symptoms of impaired crystalline lenses, reduced hepatic MDA concentration, increased hepatic GSH concentration, and significantly increased the activities of the hepatic antioxidant enzymes SOD, CAT, GSH-Px, and GR in rats. These data suggest that a lutein-rich beverage is an effective and harmless way to increase the total anti-oxidation capacity of lenses and alleviate visual fatigue.
PubMed: 37999206
DOI: 10.3390/metabo13111110 -
Indian Journal of Ophthalmology Dec 2023This study aimed to determine the effect of the blue light (BL) filter on the different tasks performed on a laptop on a daily basis.
PURPOSE
This study aimed to determine the effect of the blue light (BL) filter on the different tasks performed on a laptop on a daily basis.
METHODS
Forty subjects were required to perform a 45-minute task on the laptop screen with or without the BL filter on two different days. In the first task, subjects were made to watch a video. In the second task, subjects were made to read a passage from the laptop for 3 minutes, and reading speed was calculated. In the third task, subjects were made to enter the data on the laptop. The time taken to fill in the data was recorded. After the completion of the task, questionnaires were administered. Pre- and post-task accommodative tests were performed.
RESULTS
Forty emmetropes with a mean age of 21 ± 2 were recruited. In visual performance, the subjective response showed a significant difference in visual fatigue level with and without the filter. A statistically significant difference was seen in reading speed and data entry during task performance with and without the filter. Pre- and post-task accommodative parameters showed variable responses.
CONCLUSION
This study showed that the use of a BL filter improves task performance, but subjectively, people experienced more visual fatigue while using the filter.
Topics: Humans; Young Adult; Adult; Task Performance and Analysis; Asthenopia; Light; Accommodation, Ocular; Microcomputers
PubMed: 37991308
DOI: 10.4103/IJO.IJO_534_23 -
Nutrition Research (New York, N.Y.) Dec 2023The retina, an important tissue of the eye, is essential in visual transmission and sustaining adequate eyesight. However, oxidative stress and inflammatory reactions... (Review)
Review
The retina, an important tissue of the eye, is essential in visual transmission and sustaining adequate eyesight. However, oxidative stress and inflammatory reactions can harm retinal structure and function. Recent studies have demonstrated that exposure to light can induce oxidative stress and inflammatory reactions in retinal cells, thereby facilitating the progression of retinal damage-related diseases and asthenopia. Plant bioactive compounds such as anthocyanin, curcumin, resveratrol, lutein, zeaxanthin, epigallocatechin gallate, and quercetin are effective in alleviating retinal damage and asthenopia. Their strong oxidation resistance and unique chemical structure can prevent the retina from producing reactive oxygen species and regulating eye muscle relaxation, thus alleviating retinal damage and asthenopia. Additionally, the combination of these active ingredients produces a stronger antioxidant effect. Consequently, understanding the mechanism of retinal damage caused by light and the regulation mechanism of bioactive compounds can better protect the retina and reduce asthenopia.
Topics: Humans; Asthenopia; Biological Availability; Retina; Antioxidants; Oxidative Stress; Phytochemicals
PubMed: 37980835
DOI: 10.1016/j.nutres.2023.10.003 -
International Ophthalmology Dec 2023To detect the presence of asthenopia after implantation of Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL). (Observational Study)
Observational Study
OBJECTIVE
To detect the presence of asthenopia after implantation of Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL).
METHOD
Design: prospective observational case series. Patients with myopia and/or astigmatism who underwent ICL surgeries and completed 3-month follow-up were enrolled. Asthenopia scores, amplitude of accommodation (AA), positive/negative relative accommodation (PRA/NRA), accommodative facility (AF), the ratio of accommodative convergence and accommodation (AC/A), Schirmer test, noninvasive breakup time (NBUT), and HOA were examined before surgeries and at 1 week, 1 month and 3 months postoperatively then statistically analyzed.
RESULTS
Symptoms of asthenopia were significantly decreased at 1 week after ICL surgeries than those before surgeries, but increased gradually as time went by, eventually recovered at 3 months postoperatively. AA, AF, AC/A decreased 1 week postoperatively, returned to the baseline at 1 month and were improved at 3 months after surgeries. NBUT at 1 week, 1 month and 3 months after surgeries were significantly decreased and was the lowest at 1 week postoperatively. PRA, NRA, Schiermer values and HOA had no significant change. Correlation analysis showed that the lower AF and NBUT after ICL surgeries, the more severe the asthenopia symptoms.
CONCLUSION
The symptoms of asthenopia aggravated transiently after ICL implantation surgeries, but improved gradually with time. AF and NBUT were important factors affecting the changes of asthenopia.
Topics: Humans; Lens Implantation, Intraocular; Asthenopia; Phakic Intraocular Lenses; Myopia; Accommodation, Ocular
PubMed: 37923878
DOI: 10.1007/s10792-023-02890-0