Effects of digital devices and online learning on computer vision syndrome in students during the COVID-19 era: an online questionnaire study.

PURPOSE: Computer vision syndrome (CVS) describes a group of eye and vision-related problems that result from prolonged digital device use. This study aims to assess the prevalence and associated factors of CVS among students during the lockdown resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: A cross-sectional, online, questionnaire-based study performed among high school students in Thailand. RESULTS: A total of 2476 students, with mean age of 15.52±1.66 years, were included in this study. The mean number of hours of digital device use per day (10.53±2.99) increased during the COVID-19 pandemic compared with before its advent (6.13±2.8). The mean number of hours of online learning was 7.03±2.06 hours per day during the pandemic. CVS was found in 70.1% of students, and its severity correlated with both the number of hours of online learning and the total number of hours of digital device usage (p<0.001). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that the factors associated with CVS included age ≤15 years (adjusted OR (AOR)=2.17), overall digital device usage >6 hours per day (AOR=1.91), online learning >5 hours per day (AOR=4.99), multiple digital device usage (AOR=2.15), refractive errors (AOR=2.89), presence of back pain (AOR=2.06) and presence of neck pain (AOR=2.36). CONCLUSIONS: The number of hours of digital device usage increased during lockdown. Over 70% of children had CVS, whose associated factors, including hours of digital device usage, hours of online learning, ergonomics and refractive errors, should be adjusted to decrease the risk of acquiring this condition. Online learning will remain, along with CVS, after this pandemic, and we hope our research will be taken into account in remodelling our education system accordingly.

Recalcitrant infectious uveoscleritis: A case report of a coinfection by Epstein-Barr virus and Talaromyces marneffei.

Introduction and importance: In an immunocompromised patient, there has never been a report of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and Talaromyces marneffei co-infection. Treatment with intravenous ganciclovir for EBV-associated uveitis has only been explored in a few cases. Case presentation: A 47-year-old HIV-positive female presented with scleral nodule and vascularized iris tumor in the left eye. After the ancillary laboratory workup, EBV was detected by polymerase chain reaction on aqueous humor and scleral tissue analysis. The lesion subsided completely with systemic and local ganciclovir therapy. Subsequently, recurrent scleral nodule with iris plaque developed and was pathologically diagnosed as Talaromyces marneffei. The employed treatment, including intravenous amphotericin B and intracameral amphotericin B injection, was successful in attaining a significant regression of the lesion. Clinical discussion: Although EBV treatment is debatable, our combination of systemic and local ganciclovir therapy demonstrated regression of EBV-caused scleral nodule and iris plaque. The organism's identification was complicated by Talaromyces marneffei, but it was easily treated. Conclusions: In HIV-infected patients, EBV-associated sclerouveitis can be successfully treated with systemic and local ganciclovir therapy, and there is a possibility of coinfection with Talaromyces marneffei.

Treatment for Epstein-Barr Virus-associated uveitis confirmed by polymerase chain reaction: Efficacy of Anti-Viral Agents and a literature review.

BACKGROUND: There are still many research challenges and unanswered questions in relation to Epstein-Barr virus-associated uveitis. These include the presence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA in asymptomatic patients, its pathogenicity in the uveitis eye, and the role of antiviral therapy for EBV-associated intraocular inflammation. METHODS: This was a retrospective review of prospectively collected data from the Ophthalmology Department, Rajavithi Hospital between 2015 and 2020. A qualitative assay using multiplex real-time PCR was performed to detect pathogen genes from specimens obtained from a total of 344 patients. The main outcome measure was treatment success defined by clinical improvement and absence of viral DNA confirmed by PCR. RESULTS: Of the 35 cases, 24 with complete data were enrolled in the study, including 22 with post-treatment PCR results. Sixty-seven percent were HIV-infected, and other plausible causes or coinfection with other pathogens were found in 75% of patients. Cytomegalovirus (38%) was the most common co-infecting pathogen. The most commonly employed regimen was a combination of systemic acyclovir and intravitreal ganciclovir injection (58%). Of the 22 cases who had post-treatment PCR results, absence of detection of the virus by PCR in the intraocular fluid after treatment was demonstrated in 73% of patients. CONCLUSION: Patients with EBV infection can be simultaneously co-infected with other pathogens. Systemic acyclovir and ganciclovir achieved clinical improvement in most cases, and EBV infection was cured in the majority of patients.