The dependence of the need for surgical correction of myopia on the academic load of medical university students

Introduction. In today's world, medical students are constantly under high academic pressure and stress. Psycho-emotional stress that occurs during studies can negatively affect the health of the visual organ, which makes it relevant to study the relationship between academic workload and the psycho-emotional state and visual acuity of students.

Objective. To study the impact of academic load on the psycho-emotional state and visual acuity of medical university students. 

Materials and methods. A longitudinal study was conducted among a group of medical university students. A total of 178 students were examined in their first year, of whom 101 were re-examined in their fourth year. The assessment was completed after the winter exam session. Visual acuity was determined without and with correction. Psycho-emotional state was assessed using the Beck Depression Scale and the Gissen Somatic Complaints Questionnaire. Results. Visual acuity declines among medical students as they progress through their fourth year (visual acuity 1.0 in 54,5 % of first-year students and 42,6 % of fourth-year students). The percentage of students without depression decreased from 35,4 % to 22,8 %, while the number of students with moderate to severe depression increased. Subjective visual impairment was also noted during periods of severe stress (29,4 % of first-year students and 35,5 % of fourth-year students).

Conclusion. Increasing academic load increases psycho-emotional disorders, which is one of the causes of decreased visual acuity in medical students. In the process of learning, it is necessary to introduce measures of psycho-emotional support and permanent control of visual acuity.

1. Mazo G.E., Neznanov N.G., Rukavishnikov G.V. Psychosomatic medicine: old resources and new technologies. S.S. Korsakov Journal of Neurology and Psychiatry, 2023, vol. 123, № 4–2, рp. 14–19. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.17116/jnevro202312304214

2. Вайс Т.Н. Психосоматика: прошлое, настоящее и будущее. PsychotherPsychosom., 2014, № 83(2), рр. 65–69. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.1159/000356518

3. Zabel B.A., Wang Jiaqi, Cardenas-Morales L., Fayk M., Heim K. Psychological stress as a consequence and cause of vision loss: the dawn of psychosomatic ophthalmology for preventive and personalized medicine. EPMA J., 2018, № 9(2), рр. 133–160. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13167-018-0136-8

4. Ettlin T., Kiska Yu. Psychosomatic rehabilitation: an overview. Therapeutische Umschau, 2020, № 76(8), рр. 460–464. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.1024/0040-5930/a001115

5. Biswas S., El Kareh A., Qureshi M., Lee D., Sun C., Lam D., Sou S.-M., Najjar R.P. The influence of environment and lifestyle on myopia. Journal of Physiological. Anthropology, 2024, № 43(1), рр. 7. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.1186/s40101-024-00354-7 6.

6. Demmin D.L., Silverstein S.M. Visual impairment and mental health: unmet needs and treatment options. Clinical Ophthalmology, 2020, № 14, рр. 4229–4251. https://doi.org/10.2147/OPTH.S258783

7. Somers A., Castiles K., Van Roy E., Spielers V., Castiles I. Inorganic vision loss in children: a prospective and retrospective analysis of related psychosocial problems and stress factors. Acta Ophthalmologica., 2016, № 94(5), рр. 312–316. https://doi.org/10.1111/aos.12848

8. Bain K.E., Beatty S., Lloyd K. Inorganic vision loss in children. Eye, 2000, № 14, рр. 770–772. https://doi.org/10.1038/eye.2000.201