Computer visual syndrome in university students in times of pandemic

• Published in: Archivos de la Sociedad Española de Oftalmología (English ed.) 2023-02, Vol.98 (2), p.72-77
• Main Authors: Vargas Rodríguez, L.J., Espitia Lozano, N., de la Peña Triana, H.M., Vargas Vargas, J.L., Mogollón Botía, D.M., Pobre Vinasco, A.M., Tristancho Rincón, M.A., Acosta Pérez, C.A., Sarria Carreño, M.C., Contento Suescun, G.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cefalea; Computers; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dry eye syndrome; Female; Headache; Humans; Male; Pandemia; Pandemic; Pandemics; Prevalence; Prevalencia; Students; Syndrome; Síndrome de ojo seco; Síndrome visual; Universities; Vision syndrome
• ISSN: 2173-5794; 2173-5794
• DOI: 10.1016/j.oftale.2022.08.009

One of the consequences of prolonged use of bright screens such as those of the computer or cell phone, is the computer visual syndrome where characteristic symptoms are presented that normally disappear after a couple of hours when you stop using electronic devices. The prevalence is high due to multiple risk factors. To determine the prevalence of computer vision syndrome in medical students at the University of Boyacá in times of pandemic. Descriptive and cross-sectional observational study. The study population were medical students, the data were collected in September and October of the year, an electronic survey was carried out for data collection. A total of 300 participants were invited to participate in the study. 78% (234) of participating students suffer from SVI. 67.09% (157) of the participants who reported suffering from SVI were female and 32.91% (77) were male. Computer visual syndrome is very common among medical students at the University of Boyacá. This study has shown that the presence of SVI has been significantly associated with exposure factors that were triggered during the pandemic period, where frequent virtual classes and long hours led to high exposure to screens. In addition, in the era of virtuality, communication through social networks increased the use of cell phones, which increases the possibility of the appearance of this syndrome. Una de las consecuencias del uso prolongado de pantallas luminosas como las del computador o las del celular, es el Síndrome Visual Informático donde se presenta síntomas característicos que normalmente desaparecen después de un par de horas al dejar de usar los aparatos electrónicos. La prevalencia es alta debido a múltiples factores de riesgo. Determinar la prevalencia de síndrome visual informático en estudiantes de medicina en tiempos de pandemia. Estudio observacional descriptivo y de corte transversal. La población a estudio fueron estudiantes de medicina de la universidad de Boyacá, los datos fueron recolectados en septiembre y octubre del año, se realizó una encuesta electrónica para la recolección de datos. Un total de 300 personas participaron en el estudio. El 78 % (234) de los estudiantes participantes sufren del SVI. El 67,09%(157) de los participantes que refirieron sufrir del SVI pertenecían al sexo femenino y el 32,91%(77) eran del sexo masculino. El síndrome visual informático es muy común entre los estudiantes de medicina de la universidad de Boyacá. Este estudio ha demostra