Computer vision syndrome prevalence according to individual and video display terminal exposure characteristics in Spanish university students

Aim: To estimate the prevalence of computer vision syndrome (CVS) in university students and its relationship with sociodemographic and optical correction factors and exposure to video display terminal (VDT). Methods: This cross‐sectional study included 244 Spanish university students who responded to an anamnesis, a VDT exposure questionnaire and the Computer Vision Syndrome Questionnaire (CVS‐Q©). A descriptive analysis was performed and the prevalence of CVS was calculated. Logistic regression models were used to measure the association between CVS and the variables studied. Results: The mean age was 20.7 years (SD = 2.1), 57% were women, 78.3% used VDTs ≥ 2 hours/day to study. The prevalence of CVS was 76.6%, and the most frequent symptoms were headache and itching. In the crude analysis, being a woman, using glasses daily and to study, and a longer VDT use to study and in total were associated with a higher prevalence of CVS; while in the older group, the prevalence was lower. In the multivariate model, VDT use to study was associated with a greater probability of CVS (aOR: 3.43; 95%CI: 1.03‐11.42), and being between 22 and 29 years was associated with a lower probability of it (aOR: 0.36; 95%CI: 0.15‐0.89). Conclusion: CVS has a high prevalence amongst Spanish university students. The most affected are the younger ones and those who use VDTs for longer hours to study. It is essential to continue investigating the influence of the type of tasks conducted with VDTs on CVS and thus to establish the preventive measures to reduce this syndrome

Validação intercultural em português de um questionário para avaliar a síndrome visual do computador em trabalhadores expostos a dispositivos digitais

Purpose: As digital devices are increasingly used at work, valid and reliable tools are needed to assess their effect on visual health. This study aimed to translate, cross-culturally adapt, and validate the Computer Vision Syndrome Questionnaire (CVS-Q©) into Portuguese. Methods: A 5-phase process was followed: direct translation, synthesis of translation, back-translation, consolidation by an expert committee, and pretest. To run the pretest, a cross-sectional pilot study was conducted with 26 participants who completed the prefinal Portuguese version of the CVS-Q© and were asked about difficulties, comprehensibility, and suggestions to improve the questionnaire. To evaluate the reliability and validity of the Portuguese version of the CVS-Q©, a cross-sectional validation study was performed in a different sample (280 workers). Results: In the pretest, 96.2% had no difficulty in completing it, and 84.0% valued it as clear and understandable. CVS-Q© in Portuguese (Questionário da Síndrome Visual do Computador, CVS-Q PT©) was then obtained. Validation revealed the scale’s good internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha=0.793), good temporal stability (intraclass correlation coefficient=0.847; 95% CI 0.764-0.902, kappa=0.839), adequate sensitivity and specificity (78.5% and 70.7%, respectively), good discriminant capacity (area under the curve=0.832; 95% CI 0.784-0.879), and adequate convergent validity with the ocular surface disease index (Spearman correlation coefficient=0.728, p<0.001). The factor analysis provided a single factor accounting for 37.7% of the explained common variance. A worker who scored ≥7 points would have computer vision syndrome. Conclusions: CVS-Q PT© can be considered an intuitive and easy-to-understand tool with good psychometric properties to measure computer vision syndrome in Portuguese workers exposed to digital devices. This questionnaire will assist in making decisions on preventive measures, interventions, and treatment and comparing exposed populations in different Portuguese-speaking countries.Objetivos: À medida que a utilização de equipamentos digitais no emprego aumenta, a avaliação do seu efeito na saúde visual necessita de ferramentas válidas e robustas. Este estudo teve como objetivo traduzir, adaptar culturalmente e validar para português o Questionário da Síndrome Visual do Computador (CVS-Q©). Métodos: O procedimento foi realizado em 5 fases: tradução direta, síntese da tradução, tradução inversa, consolidação por um painel de especialistas, e pré-teste. Para fazer o pré-teste foi realizado um estudo piloto transversal aplicado a uma amostra de 26 participantes que completaram a versão pré-final da versão portuguesa do CVS-Q©, questionando por dificuldades, compreensão e sugestões de melhoria do questionário. Para avaliar a confiança e validade da versão portuguesa do CVS-Q© foi realizado um estudo transversal de validação em uma amostra diferente (280 funcionários). Resultados: No préteste, 96.2% dos participantes não apresentaram dificuldades no preenchimento do questionário, enquanto 84.0% indicaram que era claro e compreensível. Obteve-se, então, o CVS-Q© em português (Questionário da Síndrome Visual do Computador, CVS-Q PT©). A sua validação revelou uma boa consistência interna da sua escala (Cronbach’s alpha=0.793), boa estabilidade tem poral (coeficiente de correlação interclasse=0.847; 95% CI 0.764-0.902, kappa=0.839), sensibilidades e especificidades adequadas (78.5% e 70.7%, respetivamente), boa capacidade de discriminação (área abaixo da curva=0.832; 95% CI 0.784-0.879), e uma adequada validade da convergência com o índice de doença da superfície ocular (ocular surface disease index - OSDI; coeficiente de correlação de Spearman=0.728, p<0.001). A análise fatorial revelou um único fator responsável por explicar a variância comum em 37.7%. Um funcionário com uma pontuação ≥7 pontos sofria de síndrome visual do computador. Conclusão: O CVS-Q PT© pode ser considerada uma ferramenta intuitiva, de fácil interpretação e com boas pro priedades psicométricas para avaliar a síndrome visual do computador em funcionários portugueses expostos a ecrãs digitais. Este questionário facilitará as decisões sobre medidas preventivas, intervenções e tratamento, e a comparação entre as populações expostas em diferentes países de língua portuguesa.This work was supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology in the framework of the Strategic Funding UIDB/04650/2020. The authors thank the Vice-Rectorate of Research of the University of Alicante for the pre-doctoral training contract for the first author (UAFPU2019-08). This article will form part of the first author’s doctoral thesis

What are the dry eye questionnaires available in the scientific literature used for? A Scoping Review

Purpose: Dry eye disease (DED) is a frequent chronic ophthalmic condition. Its diagnosis includes tests and Patient Reported Outcomes (PRO) questionnaires. Although many PRO dry eye questionnaires (PRO-DEQ) are available, they differ greatly from each other and not all have been validated. The purpose of this study was to retrieve the PRO-DEQ present in the scientific literature by performing a descriptive analysis of them and identifying those with known validity and reliability characteristics and to perform a descriptive analysis of the geographical area, year of publication and characteristics of the target population of the clinical studies that have used validated PRO dry eye questionnaires. Design: Scoping review of the literature. Methods: Search was conducted in PubMed to retrieve PRO-DEQ published up to July 2018 and written in English, French, Italian or Spanish. Results: 1602 records were identified, 973 were finally included. Of these, 56 provided information on the design and validation of PRO-DEQ and 49 PRO-DEQ were identified. 22 PRO-DEQ were validated (17 original and 5 modified) and 27 had no associated design, validity, and reliability studies. Most of the validated PRO-DEQ have been designed in English, the number of items varies between 1-57, the dimensions are generally not specified, and they are self-administered. The greatest use of validated PRO-DEQ in clinical studies has been in Asia since 2010, with the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) being the most used. These questionnaires have been used mostly in adults, retired professionals and people with visual diseases to diagnose DED. Conclusions: This study aims to encourage the use of validated PRO-DEQ to guarantee the quality of the results obtained, as well as the comparability and replicability among studies.The authors thank the Vice-Rectorate of Research of the University of Alicante for the pre-doctoral training contract for the third author (UAFPU2019-08). Jose María Ramada receives a salary as head of the occupational health service at Hospital del Mar (Barcelona) and as associate professor at the University Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona (Spain). Likewise, he has received competitive funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), through the Instituto de Salud Carlos III for the INTEVAL_Plus project (PI17/00779), of which he is the principal investigator

Differences in eye health, access to eye care specialists and use of lenses among immigrant and native-Born Workers in Spain

Latin American immigrants make up 49% of the total immigrant population in Spain, yet little is known about their eye health. The aim of this study is to determine if there are differences in self-perceived eye health, access to eye care specialists, and use of lenses between a sample of Latin American immigrant workers from Colombia and Ecuador, and native-born workers in Spain. We used data from the PELFI cohort (Project for Longitudinal Studies of Immigrant Families). The sample consisted of 179 immigrant workers born in Colombia or Ecuador, and 83 Spanish-born workers. The outcome variables were self-perceived eye health, access to eye specialists, and use of lenses. A descriptive analysis of the sample was carried out, and the prevalence of the three outcome variables in immigrants and natives was calculated and adjusted for explanatory variables. Random effects logistic regression models examined eye health outcomes by workers’ country of birth. Immigrants are less likely to report poor self-perceived eye health than native-born (ORc 0.46; CI 95%, 0.22–0.96). Furthermore, they have less access to specialists (ORc 2.61; CI 95%, 1.32–5.15) and a higher probability of needing lenses but not having them (ORc 14.14; CI 95%, 1.77–112.69). This latter variable remained statistically significant after adjusting for covariates (ORa 34.05; CI 95%, 1.59–729.04). Latin American immigrants may not value the use of lenses, despite eye care specialists indicating that they need them. Eye health education is required to recognize the importance of using lenses according to their visual needsPostprint (published version

Rasch-Validated Italian Scale for Diagnosing Digital Eye Strain: The Computer Vision Syndrome Questionnaire IT©

The use of digital devices affects eye health; this can influence the performance of workers. To assess this impact, validated patient-reported outcome questionnaires are needed. The purpose of this study was to validate the psychometric properties of the Italian version of the Computer Vision Syndrome Questionnaire (CVS-Q©) using Rasch analysis. Two hundred and forty-one Italian workers completed an ad hoc questionnaire on anamnesis and exposure to digital devices, and the Italian version of the CVS-Q©. Subsequently, a battery involving three clinical ocular surface and tear tests was performed. The reliability and validity of the scale was assessed using the Andrich Rating Scale Model, and the prevalence of computer vision syndrome (CVS) was calculated. A good fit of both items and persons to the predictions of the Rasch model was observed, with acceptable reliability, unidimensionality, and no or minimal severe differences as a function of gender or age; moreover, good test–retest repeatability, adequate values of sensitivity, reliability, and area under the curve, and adequate construct validity based on clinical tests were obtained. Workers with a questionnaire score ≥ 7 were found to present with CVS. The prevalence of CVS was 76.6%. The CVS-Q IT© is a valid and reliable scale to assess CVS in Italian workers who use digital devices

CVS-Q teen©: computer vision syndrome in adolescents and its relationship with digital textbooks

Objetivo: Analizar la prevalencia y la evolución del síndrome visual informático en estudiantes de secundaria y bachillerato mediante el CVS-Q© adaptado y validado para adolescentes, según empleen libros en papel o en soporte digital. Método: Se adaptará el CVS-Q© mediante un pilotaje en adolescentes y un grupo nominal compuesto por especialistas en salud visual, profesorado y padres/madres. Se evaluarán la calidad y la aplicabilidad de la versión resultante (CVS-Q teen©) y se realizará un estudio de validación con pruebas visuales, retest y análisis psicométrico. Posteriormente, se realizará un estudio prospectivo longitudinal con cuatro medidas repetidas en adolescentes de dos institutos de San Juan de Alicante (uno ha sustituido libros por tabletas). Se medirá el síndrome visual informático mediante el CVS-Q teen© con tres seguimientos. Se analizará la prevalencia de síndrome visual informático según factores sociodemográficos, visuales y de uso de dispositivos digitales. Se realizarán modelos de regresión logística con efecto aleatorio por estudiante y tiempo de uso.Objective: To analyse the prevalence and progression of computer vision syndrome in secondary and high school students with the CVS-Q© adapted and validated for adolescents, depending on whether they use textbooks or digital books. Method: The CVS-Q© will be adapted by a pilot study in adolescents and a nominal group of visual health specialists, teachers and parents. The resulting version (CVS-Q teen©) will be tested to confirm its quality and applicability and a validation study will be done with visual tests, retest and psychometric analysis. Subsequently, a prospective longitudinal study with four repeated measures will be carried out in adolescents from two secondary schools of San Juan de Alicante (one has replaced textbooks by tablets). Computer vision syndrome will be measured by the CVS-Q teen© with three follow-ups. The prevalence of computer vision syndrome will be analysed according to sociodemographic, visual and digital device use variables. Logistic regression models will be performed, with random effect by student and time of use.Los autores agradecen al Vicerrectorado de Investigación de la Universidad de Alicante por el contrato de formación predoctoral de la segunda autora (UAFPU2019-08). El presente proyecto ha sido financiado por la convocatoria «Proyectos de Investigación en Salud», Fondo de Investigación en Salud del Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación y Unión Europea, a través de los Fondos Europeos de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER) «Una manera de hacer Europa», con la referencia PI20/01629

Translation and cultural adaptation of the Computer Vision Syndrome Questionnaire (CVS-Q©) into Italian

Background: The original Spanish version of the Computer Vision Syndrome Questionnaire (CVS-Q©) is a validated instrument with good psychometric properties to measure the Computer Visual Syndrome (CVS) in workers exposed to video display terminals (VDT). The Italian version would facilitate research and its use in clinical practice the prevention of occupational hazards. Objective: To culturally translate and adapt the CVS-Q© into Italian. Methods: Study with 5 consecutive stages: Direct translation, Synthesis of translations, Retro-translation, Consolidation by a committee of experts and Pre-test. During the Pre-test, a cross-sectional pilot study was conducted on users of VDT (n=40) who completed the Italian version of the questionnaire. Socio-demographic information and exposure assessment to VDT was also collected, as well as on the difficulty to fill in the CVS-Q©. Results: The final version into Italian of the CVS-Q© was obtained. The totality of the sample considered that it didn’t present difficulty in its completion and 90% confirmed that no improvement was needed; so that the 15% required to make changes was not reached. The mean age of participants was of 35.80±16.28 (20-65 years), 57.5% were women and 67.5% used VDT at work. A prevalence of CVS of 62.5% was observed. Conclusion: The CVS-Q© can be considered a tool easy to understand and manage for measuring the CVS in the population exposed to VDT in Italy.Introduzione: La versione originale in lingua spagnola del Questionario per lo studio della Sindrome da Visione al Computer (CVS-Q©) è uno strumento validato e con buone proprietà psicometriche per valutare tale Sindrome (CVS) in lavoratori esposti a videoterminali (VDT). La versione del questionario in italiano potrà fornire un utile strumento sia per la ricerca che per la pratica clinica nella prevenzione dei rischi professionali da VDT. Obiettivo: Tradurre e adattare culturalmente il CVS-Q© in italiano. Metodi: Studio condotto in 5 fasi consecutive: Traduzione diretta, Sintesi delle traduzioni, Retro-traduzione, Approvazione da parte di un comitato di esperti e Pre-test. Durante il pre-test è stato condotto uno studio pilota trasversale in utilizzatori di VDT (n=40) che hanno compilato la versione del questionario in lingua italiana. Si è inoltre proceduto alla raccolta di informazioni socio-demografiche, sull’esposizione a VDT e sulla difficoltà di compilazione. Risultati: È stata ottenuta la versione definitiva del CVSQ© in italiano. La totalità del campione ha ritenuto che il questionario non presentasse difficoltà di compilazione ed il 90% del campione che non fosse necessario apportare miglioramenti; per cui, il 15% richiesto per apportare modifiche non è stato raggiunto. L’età media dei partecipanti era di 35.80±16.28 (20-65 anni), il 57.5% erano donne e il 67.5% ha utilizzato il VDT sul lavoro. La prevalenza della CVS osservata è stata del 62.5%. Conclusione: Il CVSQ© può essere considerato uno strumento di facile comprensione e gestione per misurare la CVS nella popolazione esposta a VDT in Italia

Proceso de traducción, adaptación cultural y validación de un cuestionario a otro idioma

Seminario de Septiembre de 2021 perteneciente al Ciclo de seminarios Concepción Arenal - Grupo de investigación Salud Pública

Work productivity among Sjögren’s Syndrome and non-Sjögren’s dry eye patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Este trabajo es un comentario del artículo: Sivakumar GK, Patel J, Malvankar-Mehta MS, Mather R. Work productivity among Sjögren’s Syndrome and non-Sjögren’s dry eye patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Eye (Lond). 2021; Online ahead of print. doi: 10.1038/s41433-020-01282-3.This text is a commentary on the article: Sivakumar GK, Patel J, Malvankar-Mehta MS, Mather R. Work productivity among Sjögren’s Syndrome and non-Sjögren’s dry eye patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Eye (Lond). 2021; Online ahead of print. doi: 10.1038/s41433-020-01282-3

Computer Vision Syndrome Questionnaire (Bengali version)

It is a self-administered questionnaire in Bengali to evaluate the computer vision syndrome (or digital eye strain)