Computer visual syndrome in medical students in virtual education of a Peruvian university during 2021

Abstract

Introduction: During virtual classes in the context of COVID-19, students were exposed to digital screens for many hours, so they could present computer vision syndrome. Objective: To determine the frecuency of computer vision syndrome in sixth-year students of the Faculty of Human Medicine of the Ricardo Palma University in the context of virtual education due to COVID-19 during the period October - November 2021. 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%). Conclusions: In the present study, a high frequency of computer visual syndrome was found in medical students who took virtual classes.