Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

  • Volume 35
  • /
  • Pages.1.1-1.11
  • /
  • 2023
  • /
  • 1225-3618(pISSN)
  • /
  • 2052-4374(eISSN)
The Korean Society of Occupational & Environmental Medicine (대한직업환경의학회)
권호 표지
DOI QR코드

DOI QR Code

The relationship between visual display terminal usage at work and symptoms related to computer vision syndrome

  • Soonsu Shin (Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Kyung Hee University Hospital) ;
  • Eun Hye Yang (Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Kyung Hee University Hospital) ;
  • Hyo Choon Lee (Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Kyung Hee University Hospital) ;
  • Seong Ho Moon (Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Kyung Hee University Hospital) ;
  • Jae-Hong Ryoo (Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, School of Medicine, Kyung Hee University)
  • Received : 2022.06.20
  • Accepted : 2022.12.07
  • Published : 2023.12.31
Download PDF
⟨ Previous Next ⟩

Abstract

Background: Although it is well known that the usage of visual display terminal (VDT) at the workplace causes computer vision syndrome (CVS), previous studies mainly focused on computer use and the health of white-collar workers. In this study, we explored the relationship between the usage of VDT including various devices, and symptoms related to CVS in a large population including pink-collar workers and blue-collar workers. Methods: 21,304 wage workers over the age of 20 years were analyzed from the 6th Korean Working Conditions Survey. To investigate the association between VDT use at work and symptoms related to CVS among wage workers, odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated by multivariate logistic regression models. Results: In the group with the highest VDT usage at work, the OR of headache/eyestrain was 2.16 (95% CI: 1.86-2.52). The OR of suspected CVS patients was significantly increased in the highest group of usage of VDT at work (OR: 1.69; 95% CI, 1.39-2.06). Compare with the reference group, the OR for headache/eyestrain in the highest group of VDT usage was 2.81 (95% CI: 2.13-3.70) in white-collar workers, 1.78 (95% CI: 1.32-2.40) in pink-collar workers, and 1.59 (95% CI: 1.18-2.15) in blue-collar workers. Conclusions: We observed a relationship in which the use of VDT in the workplace increases the risk of headache/eyestrain regardless of occupational classification. Our findings emphasize the importance of paying attention to the health of VDT workers and making plans to improve their working conditions.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

The authors would like to express their gratitude to the participants and researchers of Korean Working Conditions Survey (KWCS).

References

  1. Blehm C, Vishnu S, Khattak A, Mitra S, Yee RW. Computer vision syndrome: a review. Surv Ophthalmol 2005;50(3):253-62. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.survophthal.2005.02.008
  2. Gowrisankaran S, Sheedy JE. Computer vision syndrome: a review. Work 2015;52(2):303-14. https://doi.org/10.3233/WOR-152162
  3. Eurofound. Sixth European Working Conditions Survey. https://www.eurofound.europa.eu/sites/default/files/ef_publication/field_ef_document/ef1634en.pdf. Updated 2017. Accessed June 14, 2022.
  4. Ministry of Science and ICT, National Information Society Agency. Survey on the internet usage. https://www.nia.or.kr/site/nia_kor/ex/bbs/View.do?cbIdx=99870&bcIdx=24378&parentSeq=24378. Updated 2022. Accessed June 14, 2022.
  5. American Optometric Association. Computer vision syndrome. https://www.aoa.org/healthy-eyes/eyeand-vision-conditions/computer-vision-syndrome?sso=y. Updated 2022. Accessed June 14, 2022.
  6. Fenga C, Aragona P, Cacciola A, Spinella R, Di Nola C, Ferreri F, et al. Meibomian gland dysfunction and ocular discomfort in video display terminal workers. Eye (Lond) 2008;22(1):91-5. https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.eye.6703025
  7. Ye Z, Honda S, Abe Y, Kusano Y, Takamura N, Imamura Y, et al. Influence of work duration or physical symptoms on mental health among Japanese visual display terminal users. Ind Health 2007;45(2):328-33. https://doi.org/10.2486/indhealth.45.328
  8. Parihar JK, Jain VK, Chaturvedi P, Kaushik J, Jain G, Parihar AK. Computer and visual display terminals (VDT) vision syndrome (CVDTS). Med J Armed Forces India 2016;72(3):270-6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mjafi.2016.03.016
  9. Vincent AJ, Spierings EL, Messinger HB. A controlled study of visual symptoms and eye strain factors in chronic headache. Headache 1989;29(8):523-7. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1526-4610.1989.hed2908523.x
  10. Harle DE, Evans BJ. The optometric correlates of migraine. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt 2004;24(5):369-83. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-1313.2004.00212.x
  11. Sheedy JE, Hayes JN, Engle J. Is all asthenopia the same? Optom Vis Sci 2003;80(11):732-9. https://doi.org/10.1097/00006324-200311000-00008
  12. Carruthers A, Langtry JA, Carruthers J, Robinson G. Improvement of tension-type headache when treating wrinkles with botulinum toxin A injections. Headache 1999;39(9):662-5. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1526-4610.1999.3909662.x
  13. Granet DB, Gomi CF, Ventura R, Miller-Scholte A. The relationship between convergence insufficiency and ADHD. Strabismus 2005;13(4):163-8. https://doi.org/10.1080/09273970500455436
  14. Gunnarsson E, Soderberg I. Eye strain resulting from VDT work at the Swedish telecommunications administration. Appl Ergon 1983;14(1):61-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/0003-6870(83)90223-5
  15. Iwakiri K, Mori I, Sotoyama M, Horiguchi K, Ochiai T, Jonai H, et al. Survey on visual and musculoskeletal symptoms in VDT workers. Sangyo Eiseigaku Zasshi 2004;46(6):201-12. https://doi.org/10.1539/sangyoeisei.46.201
  16. Kurimoto S, Iwasaki T, Nomura T, Noro K, Yamamoto S. Influence of VDT work on eye accommodation. J UOEH 1983;5(1):101-10. https://doi.org/10.7888/juoeh.5.101
  17. Qu XM, Chu RY, Wang L, Yao PJ, Liu JR. Effects of short-term VDT usage on visual functions. Zhonghua Yan Ke Za Zhi 2005;41(11):986-9.
  18. Rahman ZA, Sanip S. Computer user: demographic and computer related factors that predispose user to get computer vision syndrome. Int J Bus Humanit Technol 2011;1(2):84-91.
  19. Dessie A, Adane F, Nega A, Wami SD, Chercos DH. Computer vision syndrome and associated factors among computer users in Debre Tabor Town, Northwest Ethiopia. J Environ Public Health 2018;2018:4107590.
  20. Nakazawa T, Okubo Y, Suwazono Y, Kobayashi E, Komine S, Kato N, et al. Association between duration of daily VDT use and subjective symptoms. Am J Ind Med 2002;42(5):421-6. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajim.10133
  21. Sa EC, Ferreira Junior M, Rocha LE. Risk factors for computer visual syndrome (CVS) among operators of two call centers in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Work 2012;41 Suppl 1:3568-74. https://doi.org/10.3233/WOR-2012-0636-3568
  22. Artime-Rios E, Suarez-Sanchez A, Sanchez-Lasheras F, Segui-Crespo M. Computer vision syndrome in healthcare workers using video display terminals: an exploration of the risk factors. J Adv Nurs 2022;78(7):2095-110. https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.15140
  23. Uchino M, Yokoi N, Uchino Y, Dogru M, Kawashima M, Komuro A, et al. Prevalence of dry eye disease and its risk factors in visual display terminal users: the Osaka study. Am J Ophthalmol 2013;156(4):759-66. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajo.2013.05.040
  24. Ranasinghe P, Wathurapatha WS, Perera YS, Lamabadusuriya DA, Kulatunga S, Jayawardana N, et al. Computer vision syndrome among computer office workers in a developing country: an evaluation of prevalence and risk factors. BMC Res Notes 2016;9(1):150.
  25. Leso V, Gervetti P, Mauro S, Macrini MC, Ercolano ML, Iavicoli I. Shift work and migraine: a systematic review. J Occup Health 2020;62(1):e12116.
  26. Makateb A, Torabifard H. Dry eye signs and symptoms in night-time workers. J Curr Ophthalmol 2017;29(4):270-3. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joco.2017.05.003
  27. Rao JN, Scott AJ. The analysis of categorical data from complex sample surveys: chi-squared tests for goodness of fit and independence in two-way tables. J Am Stat Assoc 1981;76(374):221-30. https://doi.org/10.1080/01621459.1981.10477633
  28. Travers PH, Stanton BA. Office workers and video display terminals: physical, psychological and ergonomic factors. AAOHN J 2002;50(11):489-93. https://doi.org/10.1177/216507990205001102
  29. Lee DS, Ko YH, Shen IH, Chao CY. Effect of light source, ambient illumination, character size and interline spacing on visual performance and visual fatigue with electronic paper displays. Displays 2011;32(1):1-7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.displa.2010.09.001
  30. Alemayehu AM. Pathophysiologic mechanisms of computer vision syndrome and its prevention: review. World J Ophthal Vis Res 2019;2(5):000547.
  31. Chu C, Rosenfield M, Portello JK, Benzoni JA, Collier JD. A comparison of symptoms after viewing text on a computer screen and hardcopy. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt 2011;31(1):29-32. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-1313.2010.00802.x
  32. Rosenfield M. Computer vision syndrome: a review of ocular causes and potential treatments. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt 2011;31(5):502-15. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-1313.2011.00834.x
  33. Gur S, Ron S, Heicklen-Klein A. Objective evaluation of visual fatigue in VDU workers. Occup Med (Lond) 1994;44(4):201-4. https://doi.org/10.1093/occmed/44.4.201
  34. Tsubota K, Nakamori K. Dry eyes and video display terminals. N Engl J Med 1993;328(8):584.
  35. Thorud HM, Helland M, Aaras A, Kvikstad TM, Lindberg LG, Horgen G. Eye-related pain induced by visually demanding computer work. Optom Vis Sci 2012;89(4):E452-64. https://doi.org/10.1097/OPX.0b013e31824c1801
  36. Hales TR, Sauter SL, Peterson MR, Fine LJ, Putz-Anderson V, Schleifer LR, et al. Musculoskeletal disorders among visual display terminal users in a telecommunications company. Ergonomics 1994;37(10):1603-21. https://doi.org/10.1080/00140139408964940
  37. Wiggins NP, Daum KM. Visual discomfort and astigmatic refractive errors in VDT use. J Am Optom Assoc 1991;62(9):680-4.
  38. Wiggins NP, Daum KM, Snyder CA. Effects of residual astigmatism in contact lens wear on visual discomfort in VDT use. J Am Optom Assoc 1992;63(3):177-81.
  39. Garcia-Montero M, Rico-Del-Viejo L, Martinez-Alberquilla I, Hernandez-Verdejo JL, Lorente-Velazquez A, Madrid-Costa D. Effects of blink rate on tear film optical quality dynamics with different soft contact lenses. J Ophthalmol 2019;2019:4921538.
  40. Tauste A, Ronda E, Molina MJ, Segui M. Effect of contact lens use on Computer Vision Syndrome. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt 2016;36(2):112-9. https://doi.org/10.1111/opo.12275
  41. Fincham JE. Response rates and responsiveness for surveys, standards, and the journal. Am J Pharm Educ 2008;72(2):43.