Associated Factors of Digital Eye Strain among Clinical Years’ Medical Students and Treatment Results Using Single-Dose Unit Artificial Tears
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Abstract
Background: Digital eye strain (DES) is frequently found in university students or individuals using computers or digital devices. Dry eye is one of the most common symptoms. Studies about both conditions among clinical years’ medical students are lacking.
Objective: To determine factors associated with DES in clinical years’ medical students and the treatment results by using single-dose unit artificial tears
Material and method: A cross-sectional and clinical trial study was conducted among the 4th−6th years’ medical students of Lampang Hospital between 20th August and 20th October 2021. DES was diagnosed using the computer vision syndrome questionnaire (CVS-Q) and assessed its severity using the digital eye strain severity score (DESS). Dry eye was evaluated using the ocular surface disease index (OSDI) score and slit-lamp biomicroscopy. All particpants whom diagnosed with DES received single-dose unit artificial tears to apply qid for 1 week and re-evaluated again. Data were compared between groups using Fisher’s exact test and t-test. Factors associated with DES were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression.
Results: Ninety-two medical students were enrolled. The mean age was 22.2 years (SD 1.2) and 49 cases were female. Fifty-three (57.6%) were diagnosed with DES. The most common symptom was dry eye (81.1%). The findings of dry eye were definite in 2, predisposing in 3, and pre-clinical in 22 cases. Factors associated with DES were duration of digital devices use >9 hours/ day (OR 5.58, 95%CI 1.23−25.42, p=0.026), disuse of blue light blocking screen filters (OR 3.14, 95%CI 1.13−8.74, p=0.029) and distance from screen <30 cm (OR 2.97, 95%CI 1.06−8.33, p=0.039). After applying artificial tears, 21 students still had DES. The median DESS score declined from 31 (IQR 19,42) to be 9 (IQR 4,21) (p<0.001).
Conclusion: DES was commonly found in the clinical years’ medical students. Its associated factors were duration of digital devices use >9 hours/ day, disuse of blue light blocking screen filters and distance from screen <30 cm. Single-dose unit artificial tears could reduce its severity.
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บทความที่ส่งมาลงพิมพ์ต้องไม่เคยพิมพ์หรือกำลังได้รับการพิจารณาตีพิมพ์ในวารสารอื่น เนื้อหาในบทความต้องเป็นผลงานของผู้นิพนธ์เอง ไม่ได้ลอกเลียนหรือตัดทอนจากบทความอื่น โดยไม่ได้รับอนุญาตหรือไม่ได้อ้างอิงอย่างเหมาะสม การแก้ไขหรือให้ข้อมูลเพิ่มเติมแก่กองบรรณาธิการ จะต้องเสร็จสิ้นเป็นที่เรียบร้อยก่อนจะได้รับพิจารณาตีพิมพ์ และบทความที่ตีพิมพ์แล้วเป็นสมบัติ ของลำปางเวชสาร
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