Dry Eye and Visual Display Terminal-Related Symptoms among University Students during the Coronavirus Disease Pandemic
Cristián Cartes, Christian Segovia, Daniela Salinas-Toro, Claudia Goya, María J. Alonso, Remigio López‐Solís, Claudia Zapata, Mauricio Cabezas, Patricio Yañez, Patricia Flores‐Rodríguez, Daniela López, G Matus, Leonidas Traipe
Abstract
PURPOSE: To evaluate dry eye (DE) and subjective visual display terminal (VDT)-related symptoms in university students who moved their classes online due to the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: Cross-sectional study of students who were taking online classes. In May 2020, the participants completed a Dry Eye Questionnaire (DEQ-5) and a self-report survey, which included demographics, medical history, information on the use of VDT and presence of VDT-related symptoms. Participants were classified as having mild/moderate (7-12) or severe (>12) DE symptoms based on their DEQ-5 score. The associations between severe DE symptoms and relevant factors were also evaluated. RESULTS: < .001). 80.6% of the participants reported a global increase in VDT-related symptoms. CONCLUSION: Students taking online classes had a high frequency of DE symptoms. They also reported a significant increase in VDT-related symptoms. DE should be considered as an emerging health problem among the young population, which is probably related to the recent changes in lifestyle.