Computer vision syndrome during the COVID-19 pandemic: Experience among postgraduate medical students

Objectives: The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic led to increased digital device use due to social restrictions, contributing to a rise in computer vision syndrome (CVS). Postgraduate medical students, as frontline healthcare providers, are particularly vulnerable. This study aimed to assess the prevalence, risk factors, and symptom profile of CVS among postgraduate medical students during the pandemic. Material and Methods: This is a cross-sectional questionnaire-based study conducted between January 2021 and June 2021 among 117 postgraduate medical students in the southeastern region of Bangladesh. CVS was evaluated using the CVS questionnaire, which was filled out by the respondents through online Google Forms. Results: The mean age of participants was 32.2 ± 3.1 years, with a male predominance (69/117, 59%). A significant majority used smartphones (116/117, 99.1%) for social networking (103/117, 88.0%) and studying (102/117, 87.2%). Digital screen time was longer during the COVID-19 pandemic than preCOVID, with the majority using devices for 4–6 h during COVID-19 compared to 2–4 h before. The study found a CVS prevalence of 52.1% ( n = 61), with frequent symptoms including headache, burning sensation, watering, and eye pain. A significant association was found between CVS and not taking a break during digital device use ( p = 0.041). Despite this, only 18.8% (22/117) of participants knew the 20-20-20 rule. Conclusion: During the COVID-19 pandemic, ocular problems linked to excessive usage of digital gadgets have risen significantly among postgraduate medical students. The need to promote CVS awareness and symptom prevention is vital.