Evaluation of Prevalence and Associated Factors of Dry Eye Syndrome among Medical Students Exposed to Visual Display Terminal in Health Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia

@#Introduction: Dry eye syndrome (DES) has become a public health concern, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Medical students are at risk due to an increase in visual display terminal (VDT) exposure given the transition to full-time online lectures. The presence of reduced blink rate and tear film instability in VDT users causes an increase in tear evaporation leading to symptoms of DES. This study helps us to learn about the associated factors of VDT use and DES among the young generation. This study aims to determine the prevalence and associated factors of DES among medical students exposed to VDT at the health campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 140 undergraduate medical students aged 22 to 29 years old who were VDT users. Factors analysed are age, gender, race and duration of VDT usage. Data collection included both subjective assessment (OSDI questionnaire) and objective assessment (TBUT and Schirmer’s test). Statistical analysis was conducted using Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS Inc Version 24). Results were analysed using descriptive analysis and multivariate logistic regression. Results: Most of the medical student cohort was female and Malay. Most of the students use VDT for less than 8 hours. A high incidence of DES was noted among medical students (92.1%). None of the factors showed significant association with positive findings DES by subjective and objective assessment and duration of VDT usage. Conclusion: DES is common among VDT users. This study showed a high prevalence of DES among medical students in USM. The factors analysed did not show a significant association between DES and duration of VDT usage. This study may help to recognize the problem and will raise awareness of their daily practice and implement preventive measures to avoid VDT-related DES.

Traumatic Globe Displacement Into Anterior Cranial Fossa

@#A 64-year-old Malay gentleman alleged occupational injury when a malfunctioned metal hydraulic door hit on his face while unloading sand from his tipper-truck. Post-trauma, he complained of right eye (RE) pain and total loss of vision. On examination, noted RE visual acuity was unable to be assessed and left eye (LE) was 6/24 with pinhole 6/9. No eyeball could be seen in the right socket with superior orbital rim step deformity and left periorbital haematoma. Computed tomography scan of the brain and orbit confirmed displaced right eye globe into the right anterior cranial fossa with right and left multiple orbital wall fractures. He then underwent successful right eye globe repositioning. Traumatic orbital roof fracture is a rare condition. Repositioning of the eye globe was done to salvage the eye globe for a cosmetic reason and to avoid localised inflammatory reaction at the anterior cranial fossa.