Conjunctival component of computer vision syndrome — causes and mechanisms of subjective manifestations
DOI: 10.32364/2311-7729-2024-24-1-1
R.R. Akhmadeev1,2, T.R. Mukhamadeev1, E.F. Shaykhutdinova3, A.R. Khusniyarova4
1Bashkir State Medical University, Ufa, Russian Federation
2All-Russian Center for Eye and Plastic Surgery of the Bashkir State Medical University, Ufa, Russian Federation
3CJSC "Optimedservis", Ufa, Russian Federation
4Karmaskaly Central Regional Hospital, Karmaskaly, Russian Federation
Aim: to evaluate the frequency and severity of subjective conjunctival signs of computer vision syndrome (CVS) and to discuss their possible causes and mechanisms.
Patients and Methods: online screening of 367 students from different Russian universities, including 303 (82.5%) girls and 64 (17.5%) boys, aged 15–30 years (20.6±0.1 years), was conducted using a multidimensional author's questionnaire and validated scales for assessing Internet addiction and daily duration and experience of using digital devices (DDs).
Results: analysis of the screening data showed that only 10.3% of the respondents had no complaints of conjunctival signs of CVS. Predominant conjunctival symptoms (both in terms of frequency and severity) were dryness, redness and tearing. The structure of "always" and "very often" complaints of eye dryness (4.6% and 8.5% respectively), eye redness (3.3% and 7.0% respectively) and tearing (2.7% and 5.5% respectively) is similar. The structure of "very often" complaints differs from the structure of "always" complaints in that burning and itching (19.5%) ranks third after dryness (21.3%) and redness (20.4%). Eye dryness (5.2%), redness (4.0%) and tearing (2.7%) were the most common "very severe" complaints. Eye redness (10.3%), eye dryness (9.4%), and burning and itching (7.3%) were most common among "severe" complaints.
Conclusion: the authors' findings and published data show that the high rate of complaints of visual discomfort with conjunctival signs and disorders of the lacrimal apparatus when using DDs is not only due to the effect of reduced blink rate and increased evaporation of the tear film, but also to much more complex, systemic neuro-ophthalmological mechanisms. The most likely mechanism is vegetative dysregulation resulting from excessive and prolonged use of information technologies and DDs, and ignorance of hygienic and ergonomic standards.
Keywords: computer vision syndrome, dry eye disease, conjunctivitis, neuro-ophthalmology, autonomic dysregulation.
For citation: Akhmadeev R.R., Mukhamadeev T.R., Shaykhutdinova E.F., Khusniyarova A.R. Conjunctival component of computer vision syndrome — causes and mechanisms of subjective manifestations. Russian Journal of Clinical Ophthalmology. 2024;24(1):2–6 (in Russ.). DOI: 10.32364/2311-7729-2024-24-1-1.
Rustem R. Akhmadeev — Dr. Sc. (Med.), Professor, professor of the Department of Psychiatry, Narcology, and Psychotherapy, Bashkir State Medical University; 3, Lenin str., Ufa, 450008, Russian Federation; medical psychologist of All-Russian Center for Eye and Plastic Surgery of the Bashkir State Medical University; 67/1, Zorge str., Ufa, 450075, Russian Federation; ORCID iD 0000-0002-0212-2162.
Timur R. Mukhamadeev — Dr. Sc. (Med.), Head of the Department of Ophthalmology with the course of the Institute of Additional Professional Education, Bashkir State Medical University; 3, Lenin str., Ufa, 450008, Russian Federation; ORCID iD 0000-0003-3078-2464.
Elina F. Shaykhutdinova — ophthalmologist, Center of Laser Vision Recovery "Optimed", CJSC "Optimedservis"; 8, 50 let USSR str., Ufa, 450059, Russian Federation; ORCID iD 0000-0002-0174-3637.
Alesya R. Khusniyarova — ophthalmologist, Karmaskaly Central Regional Hospital; 9, Chekhov str., Karmaskaly, 453020, Russian Federation; ORCID iD 0000-0002-5259-9401.
Contact information: Timur R. Mukhamadeev, e-mail: photobgmu@gmail.com.
Financial Disclosure: no authors have a financial or property interest in any material or method mentioned.
There is no conflict of interest.
Received 25.07.2023.
Revised 15.08.2023.
Accepted 05.09.2023.
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