Visual Display and Dry Eye Related Symptoms among Medical Students During Corona Virus Waves

Abstract Background: The pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) continues to have a massive and probable long-term impact on the global population and health-care systems. DED is a prevalent ocular surface ailment that affects millions of people throughout the world. Various management and care delivery experiences in subspecialties such as glaucoma, medical retina, neuroophthalmology, and uveitis have been documented from throughout the world during the epidemic. Because there are no studies in Egypt that detail the effects of corona on medical students' eyes, this study will be under-taken to give us with knowledge on how to preserve the ocular health of medical student patients throughout the outbreak. Aim of Study: This study aims to describe the prevalence of dry eye symptoms (DES) among medical students in coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Then To evaluate the DES of medical students during corona waves and describe preva-lence of eye problems among medical students during corona waves. Patients and Methods: This is a Cross sectional study conducted among all Medical student of faculty of medicine assuit Al-Azhar University with Age >18 years old of both gender at the University Hospital of Faculty of Medicine Assuit Al-Azhar University. Patients demographics, medical and current history and symptoms of dry eye disease was obtained. OSDI score for every patient and correlation with depression, seeking medication and duration of mask wearing was noted. Results: A total sample size of 80 medical students were included. Mean Age was 21.2 among participants, Males represented 38.75% and females represented 61.25%. Visual Display Terminal Duration mean was 15.5 and time spent on using computer and smartphone mean was 4.5. Blurred Vision was the most preserved DES symptom. There was no statistical difference between population showed dry eye symptoms (n=60) and those who did not show symptoms (n=20) regarding age, history of corneal refractive operation and history of use of contact lens. However there was a significant difference regarding gender, VDT exposure, duration of using protective glasses and time spent on using computer and smartphone. Also there was no statistical difference among different OSDI score groups regarding depression caused by dry eye or desire for treatment. However, mask wearing duration showed a high significant difference among the groups. Most participants were moderate OSDI score (N=38) and most of them were wearing mask 3-6 per day. Conclusion: Dry eye symptoms had increased during the pandemic. Dry eye prevalence and symptoms severity are associated more with prolonged VDT exposure and using mask. However, there is no statistical difference among different OSDI score groups regarding depression caused by dry eye or desire for treatment.