Effects of using gadgets in online learning on dry eye syndrome

Several conditions, including decreased tear production and evaporation of tears, cause dry eye syndrome. Online learning must be carried out due to the Covid-19 pandemic. It increases the use of devices by students for lecture activities. The high intensity of smartphone use is one factor that increases the occurrence of dry eyes. This was observational research with a cross-sectional analytic method. The sample in this study was conducted on students of the Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta, who have passed the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The Slovin formula calculated the sample size in this study. Numerous factors, such as reduced tear production and evaporation, contribute to dry eye syndrome. Chi-square analysis was used to quantify research variables. In this study, there was a significant relationship between the use of gadgets and the dry eyes of students (p<0.05). This research concludes that the use of gadgets will cause dry eye syndrome. There is a relationship between using gadgets and the incidence of dry eye syndrome.