Rise in Pseudomyopia in Time of Covid-19 Pandemic-A Possible Correlation with Screen Time

Objective: To evaluate the presence of pseudo myopia in different age groups and its association with screen time in patients who present with reduced vision during the covid-19 pandemic in Pakistan. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Combined Military Hospital, Abbottabad Pakistan, from Nov 2020 to Apr 2021. Methodology: A total of 222 eyes of 111 patients with reduced vision and myopia were evaluated. All patients underwent cycloplegic refraction, and re-evaluation of myopia. An increment in myopia of 0.50 D or more after cycloplegia with cyclopentolate was labeled “Pseudomyopia”. The incidence was evaluated in different age groups and its association with screen time and study time was evaluated. Results: Mean age of study population was 21.16±8.45 years. Mean pre-cycloplegic myopia was -2.32±1.99D and mean post-cycloplegic myopia was -1.39±1.64D. Mean change in myopia after cycloplegia was -0.98±2.07D. Pseudo myopia was found in 120(54.1%) eyes. Difference in frequency of pseudomyopia between different age groups and difference in frequency of pseudomyopia between different groups with respect to screen time was statistically significant (p=<0.001) with more frequency in patients with more than 2 hours per day of screen time. Conclusion: Pseudo myopia was more prevalent in younger patients and was correlated with increasing screen time in all age groups. Full cycloplegic refraction in all patients of myopia is warranted for accurate assessment of refractive error.