Digital eye strain among medical students associated with shifting to e-learning during COVID-19 pandemic: An online survey.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine the prevalence, risk factors, symptoms, and awareness of computer vision syndrome (CVS) among medical students during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. METHODS: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted among 283 undergraduate medical students at a tertiary healthcare center. An electronic survey was conducted to collect the data. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 23). The Chi-square test (Fisher's exact test when required) was used to study the significance of associations. A P value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: A high prevalence of CVS was observed in which 92% reported at least one symptom while using a digital device, the most frequent being eye strain (49%). Among extraocular complaints, joint pain in the wrist and fingers was most frequent. Significant association (P < 0.05) of CVS was found with increased duration of digital device usage, refractive error, use of glasses or contact lens, preexisting dry eye disease, and use of topical eye drops. 37% of the participants were aware of the 20-20-20 rule, while only 11% followed it. CONCLUSION: CVS is a common health concern among medical students. Hence, to increase the productivity of work, significant risk factors need to be addressed and awareness must be raised.

Randomized controlled trial of trehalose: An efficient autophagic bioprotectant in the management of dry eye disease.

PURPOSE: To compare the therapeutic effect of sodium hyaluronate (SH)-trehalose (Trehalube, Microlabs, Bangalore, India, SH 0.1% and trehalose 3%) or SH (0.1% Hylotears, Raymed, Chandigarh, India) alone in patients with dry eye disease (DED). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients were randomized into two groups: SH-trehalose (SH 0.1% and trehalose 3%) or SH (0.1% Hylotears) alone. The Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire was used to assess patient's symptoms. Patients were followed up at 4 and 8 weeks, and OSDI score, tear film break-up time (TBUT), tear film height (TFH), Schirmer's test, and conjunctival staining were evaluated at each visit. RESULTS: A total of 384 patients were included in the study, 192 patients in each arm. The mean age of participants was 37.62 + 14.4 years and 225 were women (56%). The improvement in Schirmer's test was significantly better in the SH-trehalose group at 8 weeks (5.26 + 4.3 mm, 95% confidence interval = 4.6-5.9 mm) compared to the SH group (3.71 + 3.9, 95% confidence interval = 3.15-4.28 mm). The TBUT and TFH showed slight improvement at 4 weeks in both groups, but not at 8 weeks. There were no group differences at all-time points in terms of conjunctival staining and OSDI-based grades of DED. CONCLUSION: It was found that treating dry eye with SH-trehalose leads to greater improvement in the Schirmer's values and TBUT after 8 weeks of sustained use in patients with DED, and this was more pronounced in those with severe DED.

Motherhood: What every ophthalmologist needs to know.

The aim of this review article is to summarize the available literature on physiologic and pathologic ocular changes during pregnancy and the effect of diseases in pregnancy. A literature search was conducted using PUBMED, MEDLINE, and Cochrane library in English. In addition, the cited references in the published articles were manually reviewed for the relevant results. Pregnancy encompasses a multitude of changes in all body systems, including the visual system of the female. The changes can be physiological, i.e., changes occurring in the lids and adnexa, cornea, conjunctiva, changes in tear film composition and intraocular pressure, retina, choroid, and visual field. Pathological changes in a pregnant woman's eye include changes related to preeclampsia and eclampsia, central serous chorioretinopathy, retinal artery or vein occlusions, and disseminated intravascular coagulation. Preexisting diseases like diabetic retinopathy, Graves' disease, idiopathic intracranial hypertension, various inflammatory conditions can undergo changes in their course during pregnancy. Ophthalmic medications can have an effect on both mother and the baby and hence should be used cautiously. In addition, intrauterine infections play a major role in causing inflammation in the eye of the baby. Hence, vaccination of the mother prior to pregnancy plays an important role in preventing intrauterine infections in the neonate. A regular eye examination in the perinatal period plays a vital role in recognizing ophthalmic pathologies which might require a prompt medical intervention. Pathological ocular diseases should be discriminated from physiologic changes to establish an individualized treatment or preventive plan. This approach to ocular benefits of treatment to the mother should always weigh against the potential harm to the fetus.

Acute isolated medial rectus palsy due to infarction as a result of hypercoagulable state: A case report and literature review.

Isolated medial rectus palsy in an otherwise healthy individual is a very rare entity. However, this may point towards underlying systemic pathology. This is a case report of an otherwise healthy young adult male who presented with sudden onset non-progressive blurring of vision in right eye. A series of investigations were performed and the patient was diagnosed to have a rheumatological disorder. Isolated muscle palsies in young patient may be masking a systemic disorder and needs to be evaluated thoroughly.