The prevalence of computer vision syndrome in students Original research study
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Abstract
Purpose: To determine the prevalence of computer vision syndrome (CVS) in optometry students in Iran.
Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among a total of 279 optometry undergraduate and postgraduate students in all 4 optometry departments in Iran who used computers or other digital electronic devices for at least 2 h per day. A reliable questionnaire designed by Segui et al. was used to evaluate the prevalence of computer vision syndrome. It was included 16 symptoms that were scored using 2 rating scales: frequency and intensity. Response for each symptom was combined multiplicatively into one rating scale, resulting in a single symptom severity score and consequently, overall symptom severity. The total score of 6 points or more was considered as having a computer vision syndrome.
Results: Of a total of 279 optometry students who enrolled, 226 participants (100 males and 126 females) aged 22.63 (±5.69) years completed the study. Prevalence of computer vision syndrome was 40.27% in optometry students (42.06% in female and 38.00% in males). Also, the prevalence of CVS was 36.41% in BSc, 62.50% in MSc and 71.43% in PhD students. The most common symptom reported in the present study was headache (42.03%), followed by burning (37.17%), eye redness (36.73%), tearing (36.28%) and dryness (35.40%).
Conclusion: Modification in the ergonomics of the environment during work, education and proper eye care are essential strategies in preventing or at least decreasing CVS symptoms.
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Copyright: Medical Education sp. z o.o. License allowing third parties to copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format and to remix, transform, and build upon the material, provided the original work is properly cited and states its license.
Address reprint requests to: Medical Education, Marcin Kuźma (marcin.kuzma@mededu.pl)
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