COMPUTER VISUAL SYNDROME IN MEDICAL STUDENTS IN VIRTUAL EDUCATION OF A PERUVIAN UNIVERSITY DURING 2021

Castañeda R.M.M.; Rodriguez S.L.R.; Del Carmen Molfino Jaramillo C.; Miraval E.L.S.; Montoros D.F.S.; Rodríguez L.G.C. · Revista de la Facultad de Medicina Humana (2023) · DOI: 10.25176/rfmh.v23i1.5525

Resumen

Introduction: Students during virtual classes due to COVID-19 may develop computer visual syndrome (SVI) due to excessive time in front of digital screens. Objective: To determine the frequency of computer vision syndrome in sixth-year medical students at Ricardo Palma University during virtual education due to COVID-19 in October and November 2021. Methods: Cross-sectional descriptive study in 147 sixth-year medical students who received virtual education at a Peruvian university during 2021. A non-probability sampling was used for convenience and the SVI was evaluated with the SVI-Q questionnaire, in addition characteristics were evaluated. demographics, visual preventive measures and eye diseases. The results were analyzed with SPSS v.21 for Windows. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee. Results: Most of the students were young adults (54%) and female (60%). The frequency of computer visual syndrome was 93%, it occurred in 94% of women and 90% of men. Most of the students reported having myopia (44%) and astigmatism (22%). Regarding visual symptoms, the students mainly presented tearing (7.9%), itching (7.6%), and headache (7.6%). An association was found between SVI and the use of preventive measures for vision care. Conclusions: A high frequency of SVI was found in medical students who took virtual classes. © Universidad Ricardo Palma, Facultad de Medicina Humana. All Rights Reserved.

Instituciones: Universidad Ricardo Palma