Computer Vision Syndrome: Will the Pandemic Lead to Eye Problems for Dentists?

ABSTRACT Over the past year and a half dental education has been conducted primarily online due to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. During the pandemic, we have spent many hours a day on our computers, mobile phones, and tablets to gather information and participate in online seminars and classrooms. Health consequences resulting from the overuse of these devices include carpal tunnel syndrome as well as computer vision syndrome (CVS). Computer vision syndrome, also known as digital eye strain, has several associated features such as eye burning, strained vision, dry eye, blurred vision, and associated neck and shoulder pain. Several predisposing factors have been linked with CVS, but often this problem gets ignored. The management of this syndrome is aimed at educating dentists on computer use, position, and the surrounding environment. Considering all this, we must ensure that we spend some time away from these devices every day to avoid any significant vision problems. The objective of preparing this manuscript was to provide a brief overview of the increased prevalence of computer vision syndrome and its associated features.

Epidemiologia das urgências e emergências oftalmológicas em um Hospital Universitário Terciário / Epidemiologic profile of ophthalmic emergencies in a Tertiary University Hospital

Resumo O estudo buscou analisar e estudar a prevalência e as circunstâncias de urgências e emergências oftalmológicas no Pronto Socorro do Hospital de Clínicas de Uberlândia da Universidade Federal de Uberlândia (HCU-UFU) e no Ambulatório Amélio Marques no período de agosto de 2016 a agosto de 2017. Faz-se necessário tal estudo, pois emergências oftalmológicas são importantes causas de morbidades na sociedade(1). Ademais, através dele políticas de prevenção poderão ser feitas, além de maior capacitação de profissionais a partir do conhecimento das principais causas de atendimento. A metodologia proposta incluiu a coleta de dados do prontuário, sendo colhidas as informações sexo, idade e ocupação/profissão. Trata-se de um estudo epidemiológico exploratório observacional predominantemente descritivo do tipo transversal. O trabalho evidenciou que o sexo masculino foi o mais acometido e a faixa etária mais incidente foi entre 19 e 45 anos. Das causas de procura pelo pronto-atendimento oftalmológico, o trauma ocular por corpo estranho é a mais comum havendo uma estreita relação com as atividades laborais (mecânicos e ferragistas). Dessa forma, os dados serão um recurso importante para o auxiliar na compreensão do perfil epidemiológico do pronto-atendimento oftalmológico visando otimizar a administração do mesmo e para estimular a adoção de políticas públicas de prevenção no âmbito da saúde do trabalhador.

Abstract The study aimed to analyze and study the prevalence and circumstances of ophthalmic emergencies and urgencies in the Emergency Room of the Hospital de Clínicas de Uberlândia and the Central Ambulatory (Amélio Marques) of the Federal University of Uberlândia (HCU-UFU) from August 2016 to August 2017. This is a necessary study since ophthalmic emergencies are important causes of morbidities in society(1). In addition, this study will help to develop prevention policies and to make greater training of professionals based on knowledge of the main causes of eye emergencies. The proposed methodology included the collection of data from the medical record, with the information of sex, age and occupation/profession being collected. This is an observational, descriptive, transversal, exploratory epidemiological study. The study showed that males were the most affected and the most incident age group was between 19 and 45 years old. Eye trauma due to a foreign body is the most common cause of demand for ophthalmologic emergency care with a close relationship with work activities (mechanics and ironmongers). In this way, the data will be an important resource to assist in understanding the epidemiological profile of the ophthalmology emergency room in order to optimize its administration and to encourage the adoption of public prevention policies within the scope of occupational health.

Perfil epidemiológico dos atendimentos em um serviço público de urgência oftalmológica / Epidemiological profile of visits in a public ophthalmic emergency service

Resumo Objetivo: Identificar os principais diagnósticos e características epidemiológicas dos pacientes atendidos em um serviço público de urgência oftalmológica. Métodos: Estudo transversal e retrospectivo, com análise de prontuários de 2834 pacientes atendimentos no período de julho a setembro de 2017, no serviço de Urgência Oftalmológica do Complexo Hospitalar Ouro Verde, Campinas, Brasil. As variáveis estudadas foram idade, gênero e diagnóstico. Resultados: Houve a prevalência do gênero masculino (52,6%) e da faixa etária de 30 a 59 anos (43,5%); 21,1% eram idosos. Os diagnósticos mais prevalentes foram conjuntivite infecciosa (23,9%), trauma ocular (15,7%) e doenças da superfície ocular (14,6%). Entre mulheres e crianças houve o predomínio de quadros infecciosos/inflamatórios; 83,6% dos traumas ocorreram em homens, sendo 62,2% devido a corpo estranho. Conclusão: Os diagnósticos mais prevalentes no serviço de urgência oftalmológica foram conjuntivite infecciosa e trauma ocular. Medidas de educação e prevenção são necessárias para reduzir morbidade e absenteísmo e evitar o uso inapropriado dos serviços especializados de emergência.

Abstract Objective: To identify the most frequent diagnosis and epidemiological characteristics of patients attended in a public ophthalmic emergency service. Methods: This is a retrospective and transverse study based on 2834 patients' chart attended from July to September 2017 at the Ouro Verde Hospital Complex, Campinas, Brazil. The following variables were investigated: age, gender, and diagnosis. Results: Most patients were male (52.6%) and aged between 30 to 59 years (43.5%); 21.1% were elderly. The most frequent diagnostics were conjunctivitis (23.9%), ocular trauma (15.7%), and ocular surface disorders (14.6%). Infectious/inflammatory conditions predominated among children and female; 83.6% of traumas occurred in man, and 62.2% were due to a foreign body. Conclusion: The most prevalent diagnoses in the ophthalmologic emergency department were infectious conjunctivitis and ocular trauma. Education and prevention measures are necessary to reduce morbidity and absenteeism and to avoid inappropriate use of specialized emergency services.

Conocimientos de los estudiantes de medicina sobre las afecciones oftalmológicas más frecuentes en la práctica de la reumatología / Medical student´s knowledge about the most common ophthalmological conditions in the practice of rheumatology

Introducción: en la formación de pregrado debe concederse la debida importancia a la enseñanza de la reumatología dado su carácter multidisciplinar, que demanda un futuro profesional de la salud capaz de valorar y reconocer aún desde aulas y laboratorios, las implicaciones sociales y de salud entre enfermedades reumáticas y oculares ya que el diagnóstico correcto de estas, puede ayudar a destacar el rol del proceso sistémico y viceversa. Objetivo: evaluar el nivel de conocimientos de estudiantes de medicina sobre las afecciones oftalmológicas más frecuentes en la práctica de la reumatología. Métodos: la investigación se realizó en la facultad de Medicina perteneciente a la Universidad Regional Autónoma de los Andes en el período comprendido de marzo a mayo de 2017. Se trata de un estudio descriptivo, transversal y analítico. El universo estuvo constituido por 166 estudiantes de VI y VII semestres y la muestra de estudio la constituyeron 75 estudiantes de cada semestre seleccionados al azar. Resultados: la presencia mayoritaria de mujeres caracteriza a la muestra objeto de estudio (53.3 por ciento, contra 46,7 por ciento de hombres). Las edades máximas y mínimas fueron 21 y 26 años respectivamente, con edad promedio superior en el VII semestre. Se aplicó una encuesta validada previamente que permitió evaluar el conocimiento relacionado con las manifestaciones oftalmológicas más frecuentes. Conclusiones: el nivel de conocimiento sobre las manifestaciones oftalmológicas en la práctica de la reumatología no es bueno, por lo que se sugiere redimensionar el proceso docente, privilegiando la formación práctica que debe caracterizar la enseñanza de pregrado al profundizar en el manejo de estas entidades(AU)

Introduction: In the undergraduate training must be given due importance to the teaching of rheumatology because of its multidisciplinary character, which demands a future health professional able to assess and recognize even from classrooms and laboratories, the social and health implications between rheumatic and ocular diseases because the correct diagnosis of these can help highlighting the role of the systemic process and vice versa. Objective: To assess the level of medical students´ knowledge about the most common ophthalmological conditions in the practice of rheumatology. Methods: The research was carried out in the Faculty of Medicine belonging to the Universidad Regional Autónoma de los Andes from March to May, 2017. It is a descriptive, transversal and analytical study. The universe was constituted by 166 students of sixth and seventh semesters and the sample of study was constituted by 75 students of each semester selected at random. Development: The majority presence of women characterizes the sample object of study (53.3 percent against 46.7 percent of men). The maximum and minimum wages were 21 and 26 years old respectively, with a higher average age in the seventh semester. A previously validated survey was applied that allowed evaluating the knowledge related to the most frequent ophthalmologic manifestations. Conclusions: The level of knowledge on the ophthalmologic manifestations in the practice of rheumatology is not good, so it is suggested to resize the teaching process, favoring the practical training that must characterize the teaching of undergraduate to deepen the management of these entities(AU)

Formación de residentes en oftalmología sobre retinopatía diabética desde un enfoque educativo-preventivo / Residents´ training in ophthalmology on retinopathy from an educational-preventive approach

Se caracteriza el proceso de formación de residentes en oftalmología. Se muestran las principales dificultades de dicho proceso, por lo que resulta necesario transformar su dinámica desde un enfoque educativo-preventivo en relación con la retinopatía diabética, la cual es una de las enfermedades derivadas de la diabetes mellitus, que podría conducir a la ceguera en el paciente diabético.

The process training residents in ophthalmology is characterized. The main difficulties of this process are shown, reason why it is necessary to transform its dynamics from an educational-preventive approach regarding diabetic retinopathy, which is one of the diseases derived from diabetes mellitus that could lead to blindness in the diabetic patient

Prevalence of different eye diseases excluding refractive errors presented at the outpatient clinic in Beheira eye hospital

Purpose of this study was to determine the frequency and spectrum of eye disorders presenting to the eye clinic of Damnhour, Behira Eye Hospital

Introduction: Epidemiological studies provide information on the prevention, treatment, and minimization of the impact of diseases on the society

Subjects and Methods: During November 2016 to December 2016, all patients who presented to Damnhour, Behira Eye Hospital suffering from ocular diseases other than refractive errors were included in this study.6252 patients were examined and evaluated for different eye diseases

Results: Conjunctival diseases were the most common disorders seen [33.7 %], followed by eye lid and lacrimal system diseases [27.4 %] and cataract [25.2 %]

Conclusion: The most common causes of ocular morbidity in patients seen at Damnhour, Behira Eye Hospital were conjunctivitis, blepharitis, chalazia. These morbidities were preventable through community proper eye health education and proper hygiene. Cataract was the leading cause of visual impairment in elders. Proper intervention was needed to avoid visual impairment and blindness

Ocular risk management in patients undergoing general anesthesia: an analysis of 39,431 surgeries

OBJECTIVE: This study sought to describe and analyze ocular findings associated with nonocular surgery in patients who underwent general anesthesia. METHODS: The authors retrospectively collected a series of 39,431 surgeries using standardized data forms. RESULTS: Ocular findings were reported in 9 cases (2.3:10,000), which involved patients with a mean age of 58.9±19.5 years. These cases involved patients classified as ASA I (33%), ASA II (55%) or ASA III (11%). General anesthesia with propofol and remifentanil was used in 4 cases, balanced general anesthesia was used in 4 cases, and regional block was used in combination with balanced general anesthesia in one case. Five patients (55%) underwent surgery in the supine position, one patient (11%) underwent surgery in the lithotomy position, two patients (22%) underwent surgery in the prone position, and one patient (11%) underwent surgery in the lateral position. Ocular hyperemia was detected in most (77%) of the 9 cases with ocular findings; pain/burning of the eyes, visual impairment, eye discharge and photophobia were observed in 55%, 11%, 11% and 11%, respectively, of these 9 cases. No cases involved permanent ocular injury or vision loss. CONCLUSION: Ophthalmological findings after surgeries were uncommon, and most of the included patients were relatively healthy. Minor complications, such as dehydration or superficial ocular trauma, should be prevented by following systematic protocols that provide appropriate ocular occlusion with a lubricating ointment and protect the eye with an acrylic occluder. These procedures will refine the quality of anesthesia services and avoid discomfort among patients, surgeons and anesthesia staff. .

The role of optometrists in India: An integral part of an eye health team.

India has a proud tradition of blindness prevention, being the first country in the world to implement a blindness control programme which focused on a model to address blinding eye disease. However, with 133 million people blind or vision impaired due to the lack of an eye examination and provision of an appropriate pair of spectacles, it is imperative to establish a cadre of eye care professionals to work in conjunction with ophthalmologists to deliver comprehensive eye care. The integration of highly educated four year trained optometrists into primary health services is a practical means of correcting refractive error and detecting ocular disease, enabling co-managed care between ophthalmologists and optometrists. At present, the training of optometrists varies from two year trained ophthalmic assistants/optometrists or refractionists to four year degree trained optometrists. The profession of optometry in India is not regulated, integrated into the health care system or recognised by the majority of people in India as provider of comprehensive eye care services. In the last two years, the profession of optometry in India is beginning to take the necessary steps to gain recognition and regulation to become an independent primary health care profession. The formation of the Indian Optometry Federation as the single peak body of optometry in India and the soon to be established Optometry Council of India are key organisations working towards the development and regulation of optometry.

The accomplishments of the global initiative VISION 2020: The Right to Sight and the focus for the next 8 years of the campaign.

In the first 12 years of VISION 2020 sound programmatic approaches have been developed that are capable of delivering equitable eye health services to even the most remote and impoverished communities. A body of evidence around the economic arguments for investment in eye health has been developed that has fuelled successful advocacy work resulting in supportive high level policy statements. More than a 100 national plans to achieve the elimination of avoidable blindness have been developed and some notable contributions made from the corporate and government sectors to resource eye health programs. Good progress has been made to control infectious blinding diseases and at the very least there is anecdotal evidence to suggest that the global increase in the prevalence of blindness and visual impairment has been reversed in recent years, despite the ever increasing and more elderly global population. However if we are to achieve the goal of VISION 2020 we require a considerable scaling up of current efforts–this will depend on our future success in two key areas: i) Successful advocacy and engagement at individual country level to secure significantly enhanced national government commitment to financing their own VISION 2020 plans.ii) A new approach to VISION 2020 thinking that integrates eye health into health system development and develops new partnerships with wider health development initiatives.

Association of the red reflex in newborns with neonatal variables / Associação do reflexo vermelho em recém-nascidos com variáveis neonatais / Asociación del reflejo rojo con variables neonatales en recién nacidos

The aim of this study was to investigate the results of the red reflex test and to associate these results with neonatal variables. This descriptive study was conducted with 190 newborns in a public maternity hospital. A total of 187 infants presented no alteration and three presented suspect results. Different shades of reflex color were observed: 50 (26.3 percent) presented red; 34 (17.9 percent) orange-red, 92 (48.4 percent) orange, 11 (5.8 percent) light yellow and three (1.6 percent) milky white spots. Statistically significant associations between the color gradient instrument and neonatal variables were found: weight (p=0.03), gestational age (p=0.019) and oxygen therapy (p=0.024). Nurses trained to practice and evaluate this test may become professionals in the potential for the prevention of childhood blindness.

Objetivou-se investigar o resultado do teste do reflexo vermelho, conhecido como teste do olhinho, e associar as impressões do reflexo com variáveis neonatais. Este é um estudo descritivo, quantitativo, realizado com 190 recém-nascidos de uma maternidade pública, dos quais 187 apresentaram resultado não alterado e três suspeitos. Observaram-se diferentes nuances de coloração do reflexo: em 50 (26,3 por cento) a coloração do reflexo apresentou-se vermelha; 34 (17,9 por cento) laranja-avermelhado; 92 (48,4 por cento) alaranjado; 11 (5,8 por cento) amarelo claro e três (1,6 por cento) com manchas esbranquiçadas. Encontraram-se associações estatisticamente significantes entre o instrumento gradiente de cores e variáveis neonatais: peso (p=0,03), idade gestacional (p=0,019) e oxigenoterapia (p=0,024). Enfermeiros capacitados para prática e avaliação desse teste podem se tornar profissionais em potencial para a prevenção da cegueira infantil.

Se objetivó investigar el resultado de la prueba del reflejo rojo, conocido como prueba del ojito, y asociar las impresiones del reflejo con variables neonatales. Se trata de un estudio descriptivo, cuantitativo, realizado con 190 recién nacidos de una maternidad pública; de los cuales 187 presentaron resultados no alterados y tres sospechosos. Se observaron diferentes matices de coloración del reflejo: en 50 (26,3 por ciento) se presentó rojo; 34 (17,9 por ciento) naranja rojizo; 92 (48,4 por ciento) anaranjado; 11 (5,8 por ciento) amarillo claro y tres (1,6 por ciento) con manchas blanquecinas. Se encontraron asociaciones estadísticamente significativas entre el instrumento gradiente de colores y las variables neonatales: peso (p=0,03), edad de gestación (p=0,019) y oxigenoterapia (p=0,024). Enfermeros capacitados para la práctica y evaluación de esa prueba pueden tornarse profesionales en potencial para la prevención de la ceguera infantil.

Why are there defaulters in eye health projects?

PURPOSE: To identify barriers to attendance for eye examination of schoolchildren. METHODS: Cross-sectional study. Students in grades 1-4 in elementary school in Guarulhos (Brazil) were screened and referred for ophthalmic examination in 2006. Facilities offered in this project were: examination arranged during weekends, free transportation, spectacle donation and two different opportunities for exam. A questionnaire was applied, by interview, to a sample consisted of students' parents attended in a community project who missed the first call and attended the recall, to identify the reasons for non-attendance. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 767 parents or guardians, corresponding to an equal number of schoolchildren. Personal characteristics of the students: 49.2 percent male and 50.8 percent female, 60.2 percent of them had never received previous ophthalmologic evaluation. Reported reasons for no-show to the project: parents had not received appropriate orientation (35.6 percent), loss of working day (20.6 percent), illness (12.4 percent), had another appointment (10.0 percent). The need for eyeglasses was higher in the recall. CONCLUSIONS: A significant number of parents did not take their children for ophthalmological exams, even when a second opportunity was offered in projects with transportation facilities, free exams performed during weekends and spectacle donation. The main causes of absenteeism were lack of awareness and work. For 87.1 percent of the absenteeism cases, the difficulties could be overcome via improved structuring of the first call. A recall increases attendance coverage of target population by only 15.2 percent (59.3 to 74.5 percent). Notably, the eye exam campaign was the first exam for most of the absent students.

Ampliação do acesso à atenção oftalmológica: um estudo sobre a avaliabilidade da campanha "De Olho na Visão", Goiás, 2004 / Evaluability assessment of a health care campagne for improving the access to ophthalmologic care in a central region of Brazil, 2004

Com o objetivo de identificar as áreas prioritárias para avaliação sistemática da Campanha "De Olho na Visão", voltada para a ampliação do acesso à atenção oftalmológica ocorrida no estado de Goiás em 2004, realizou-se um estudo sobre sua avaliabilidade por intermédio da realização de entrevistas com informantes-chave e de análise documental. Elaborou-se um modelo lógico do qual foram derivados dimensões e critérios para avaliação. Submeteram-se esses critérios a um comitê de especialistas através da técnica de Delphi. Os resultados revelaram que a campanha encontrava-se estruturada o suficiente de modo a permitir a realização de avaliações sistemáticas a seu respeito. Verificou-se diversidade na compreensão acerca dos objetivos e da população-alvo, entre diferentes profissionais. Problemas relacionados com acessibilidade e efetividade indicam essas dimensões como áreas prioritárias para avaliação. O estudo também funcionou como uma pré-avaliação, gerando recomendações relacionadas com a logística. Os autores discutem a relevância da realização de estudos de avaliabilidade como etapa preliminar para a realização de avaliação de programas.

In order to identify the areas of priority for a systematic evaluation of a campaign for improving the access to ophthalmologic care - "Keep an eye on your vision", occurred in the state of Goiás in 2004, an evaluability assessment was conducted by means of interviews with key-informants and document analysis. A logical model was developed for providing dimensions and criteria for evaluation. This framework was submitted to a panel of experts using the Delphi method. The results revealed that the campaign was sufficiently structured to allow for systematic evaluations. Differences in the interpretation of the objectives and of the target population of the campaign between the experts were verified. Problems related to accessibility and effectiveness indicated these components as priorities for evaluation. The authors discuss the relevance of evaluability assessment as a preliminary stage for the evaluation of programs.

Study on the morbidity of eye disease of workers in Nghe Tinh port: offering some preventive treatment solutions

Object: workers of Cua Lo, Ben Thuy port, mechanics enterprise, work enterprise and port’s office. Method: intersect description. Result: About working environment, there are 18,4% samples not get hygiene standard, 53,2% dust samples over hygiene standard ( 2 to 12 times). 71,0% worker are working in having dust environtment. 31,2% use glass and 22% use eye drug when working. Eye disease status: 90,0% have symptom in eye, 69,6% catch eye disease. Preventive treatment has signigicant result

Programa Nacional de JUNAEB en Salud Escolar Oftalmológica en Chile: análisis de sus resultados / Chilean National Program of Ophthalmologic School Health by JUNAEB: outcome analysis

Propósito: Evaluar programa para conocer epidemiología y analizar cumplimiento de normas receta de lentes. Método: Análisis estadístico de atenciones y recetas de lente durante 2003. Resultados: Existen 2.413.176 beneficiarios, refiriendo el profesor 163.223 (6,76 por ciento). Después screening, se realizaron 57.415 (2,38 por ciento) consultas nuevas, recetando lentes al 58,60 por ciento y 19,2 por ciento sanos, y 99.131 se realizaron 57.415 (2,38 por ciento) consultas nuevas, recetando lentes al 58,60 por ciento y 19,2 por ciento sanos, y 99.131 (4,11 por ciento) controles, prescribiendo lentes al 78,9 por ciento. Se acreditaron 102 oftalmólogos. Se analizan 1.736 lentes, 88,9 por ciento astigmatismo (40 por ciento miopes, 37 por ciento hipermetrópico y 12 por ciento mixtos) y 11,1 por ciento esféricos. Conclusiones: Una alianza entre JUNAEB y Sociedad Chilena de Oftalmología permitió mejorar eficiencia con screening y normas receta de lentes, elaborando programas para visión subnormal, catarata y estrabismo.

Community ophthalmology in the Indian perspective.

Community ophthalmology is as important as practice of clinical ophthalmology. Community ophthalmology deals the part of ophthalmology which is meant for identifying common causes of ocular morbidity in different regions, assessing the needs of the population, selecting appropriate intervention strategies, planning education programmes and analysing the utilisation patterns. Community ophthalmology denotes the use of appropriate strategies to reduce the burden of eye diseases in the community and the consequences of ocular ill health, while striving to ensure the best possible ocular health status for a major proportion of the community. Community-based services do not mean that institutional care is being downgraded. Institutions will always be central to the success of community-directed programme. The rational for practising community ophthalmology has been pointed in the text portion.