Ferreira, Andreia

Franco, Sandra

Lira, Madalena

Universidade do Minho: RepositoriUM

                  Relationship between ergonomic parameters and ocular symptoms among computer users Andreia Ferreira, Madalena Lira, Sandra Francoª Centre of Physics, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal a sfranco@fisica.uminho.pt    Introduction        The increased use of visual display terminals (VDTs) has led to numerous reports of visual discomfort and reduced visual performance.1-6 The causes for the visual symptoms are a combination of individual visual problems and poor office ergonomics. Poor office ergonomics can be further divided into poor workplace conditions and improper work habits.1,7       With this study we intend to evaluate and characterize the symptoms associated with the use of computers, identify the shortcomings of ergonomic factors and relate the ergonomic guidelines adopted with the symptoms resulting from the use of VDT’s. Materials and Methods Conclusions        •  On average, the subjects worked 3.4 hours per day with the  computer doing 2 pauses of 10.3 minutes each. No correlation was found between the symptoms assessed and the number of daily hours of computer work.  •There was statistically significant difference between the number of breaks taken and the symptoms evaluated, particularly the blurred vision at distance (p= 0,020). No relation was found between the symptoms assessed and the duration of the breaks.   •The symptoms appear 2.4 hours after subjects begin to work with the computer, being asthenopia (p=0.000) the symptom that appears early.   • Most of the subjects (58.0%) indicated that they did not feel any symptoms when not using a computer (holidays, weekends).   •There was not found a statistically significant relationship between the type of monitor used and the symptoms assessed, although the participants in this study mostly use the LCD (96%) compared to CRT (2%).  • Statistically significant differences were demonstrated between the evaluated symptoms and its interference in the productivity of the work, especially, asthenopia and headache. References  It is important to note that, although causes for the inefficiencies and the visual symptoms are a combination of individual visual problems and poor office ergonomics, our study showed that ergonomic factors have a great impact on symptoms associated with the use of computers.  Results • Fifty subjects voluntarily participated in this study, 41 (82.0%) females and 9 (18.0%) males. The mean and standard deviation of subjects’ age were 21.60 ± 2.00 years.  • 58% (n=29) of the sample did not use any type of correction (glasses or contact lens), 20% (n=10) used correction during the use of the computer, 20% (n=10) always used and remaining 2% (n=1) used only in tasks at distance.               •For all the ocular symptoms evaluated, asthenopia (p=0.000) and dry eyes (p=0.014) were showed a statistically significant relation to gender.  In addition, females complain more than male.   Figure 1. Frequency of the studied symptoms.   1. Loh K, Reddy S. Understanding and preventing computer vision syndrome. Malaysian Family Physician. 2008;3(3):128-130.  2. Cheuk W, Leung A, Lam D. Eye care when using video display terminals. HKMJ. 1999;5(3):255-257.  3. Thomson WD. Eye problems and visual display terminals-the facts and the fallacies. Opthalmic and Physiological Optics. 1998;18(2):111-119.  4. Takahashi K, Sasaki H, Saito T. Combined effects of working environmental conditions in VDT work. Ergonomics. 2001;44(5):562-570.  5. Villanueva MBG, Sotoyama M, Jonai H, Takeuchi Y, Saito S. Adjustments of posture and viewing parameters of the eye to changes in the screen height of the visual display terminal. Ergonomics. 1996;39:933-945.  6. Quant J, Fellow R, Polytechnic HK, Woo GC. The Visual Display Terminal And Vision. UPDATE ARTICLE. 1991;13(8):1622-1627.  7. Sheedy JE, Parsons SD. The Video Display Terminal Eye Clinic: Clinical Report. Optometry and Vision Science. 1990;67(8):622-626.   Figure 2. Frequency of symptoms related to gender .   Fifty computer users took part in this study and were recruited from the university students. It was performed a survey with questions about demographic information (age, sex), use of corrective lenses (type of correction and frequency of wearing), and computer use habits (e.g., number of hours per day of use, frequency and length of breaks taken). The incidence of the most common symptoms of the CVS described in the literature were assessed. These symptoms included blurred vision at far and near distance, diplopia, asthenopia, headache, dry or irritated eyes and photophobia. 

Relationship between ergonomic parameters and ocular symptoms among computer users

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Relationship between ergonomic parameters and ocular symptoms among computer users

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Universidade do Minho: RepositoriUM

Universidade do Minho: RepositoriUM