Prevalence and risk factors of computer vision syndrome—assessed in office workers by a validated questionnaire
Background Computer vision syndrome (CVS) is a common occupational health problem, but its clinical definition, prevalence and risk factors are not well defined. In general, non-validated diagnostic instruments have been used to assess its prevalence. For this reason, the aim of this study is to est...
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PeerJ Inc.
2023-03-01
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| Series: | PeerJ |
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| Online Access: | https://peerj.com/articles/14937.pdf |
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| author | Natalia Cantó-Sancho Stefano Porru Stefano Casati Elena Ronda Mar Seguí-Crespo Angela Carta |
| author_facet | Natalia Cantó-Sancho Stefano Porru Stefano Casati Elena Ronda Mar Seguí-Crespo Angela Carta |
| author_sort | Natalia Cantó-Sancho |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background Computer vision syndrome (CVS) is a common occupational health problem, but its clinical definition, prevalence and risk factors are not well defined. In general, non-validated diagnostic instruments have been used to assess its prevalence. For this reason, the aim of this study is to estimate the prevalence and potential risk factors for CVS using a validated questionnaire. Methods A cross-sectional study (n = 238) was carried out in Italian office workers using digital devices. All participants responded to an anamnesis, a digital exposure questionnaire, and the validated Italian version of the Computer Vision Syndrome Questionnaire. A battery of 3 ocular surface and tear ophthalmic tests (break-up time, BUT), Schirmer II and corneal staining) was performed. Results The mean age (±SD) was 45.55 (11.02) years, 64.3% were female. 71.4% wore glasses to work, whose design was monofocal (for distance) in 47.6%, monofocal (for near) in 26.5%, general progressive in 16.5% and occupational progressive in 8.8% of cases. 35.7% used digital devices >6 hours/day in the workplace. The prevalence of CVS was 67.2%. In the multivariate model, female sex (aOR: 3.17; 95% CI [1.75–5.73]), the use of digital devices >6 hours/day at workplace (aOR: 2.07; 95% CI [1.09–3.95]) and the use of optical correction at work (aOR: 2.69; 95% CI [1.43–5.08]) significantly increased the odds of CVS. Association was observed between presenting CVS and having abnormal BUT (χ2 = 0.017). Conclusions The prevalence of CVS in Italian office workers, especially among females, was high. Intensive use of digital devices at work (>6 hours/day) and the use of optical correction at work significantly increased the odds of CVS. There is an association between poor tear stability and CVS. Further research is needed on the influence of wearing optical correction on CVS. The use of a validated questionnaire in health surveillance of digital workers is strongly recommended. |
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| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2167-8359 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T06:21:52Z |
| publishDate | 2023-03-01 |
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| spelling | doaj.art-62328a3b216e4182b2d81bce7a4588aa2023-12-03T11:37:09ZengPeerJ Inc.PeerJ2167-83592023-03-0111e1493710.7717/peerj.14937Prevalence and risk factors of computer vision syndrome—assessed in office workers by a validated questionnaireNatalia Cantó-Sancho0Stefano Porru1Stefano Casati2Elena Ronda3Mar Seguí-Crespo4Angela Carta5Department of Optics, Pharmacology and Anatomy, University of Alicante, San Vicente del Raspeig, Alicante, SpainDepartment of Diagnostics and Public Health, University of Verona, Verona, Véneto, ItalyEye Clinic, Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Véneto, ItalyPublic Health Research Group, University of Alicante, San Vicente del Raspeig, Alicante, SpainDepartment of Optics, Pharmacology and Anatomy, University of Alicante, San Vicente del Raspeig, Alicante, SpainDepartment of Diagnostics and Public Health, University of Verona, Verona, Véneto, ItalyBackground Computer vision syndrome (CVS) is a common occupational health problem, but its clinical definition, prevalence and risk factors are not well defined. In general, non-validated diagnostic instruments have been used to assess its prevalence. For this reason, the aim of this study is to estimate the prevalence and potential risk factors for CVS using a validated questionnaire. Methods A cross-sectional study (n = 238) was carried out in Italian office workers using digital devices. All participants responded to an anamnesis, a digital exposure questionnaire, and the validated Italian version of the Computer Vision Syndrome Questionnaire. A battery of 3 ocular surface and tear ophthalmic tests (break-up time, BUT), Schirmer II and corneal staining) was performed. Results The mean age (±SD) was 45.55 (11.02) years, 64.3% were female. 71.4% wore glasses to work, whose design was monofocal (for distance) in 47.6%, monofocal (for near) in 26.5%, general progressive in 16.5% and occupational progressive in 8.8% of cases. 35.7% used digital devices >6 hours/day in the workplace. The prevalence of CVS was 67.2%. In the multivariate model, female sex (aOR: 3.17; 95% CI [1.75–5.73]), the use of digital devices >6 hours/day at workplace (aOR: 2.07; 95% CI [1.09–3.95]) and the use of optical correction at work (aOR: 2.69; 95% CI [1.43–5.08]) significantly increased the odds of CVS. Association was observed between presenting CVS and having abnormal BUT (χ2 = 0.017). Conclusions The prevalence of CVS in Italian office workers, especially among females, was high. Intensive use of digital devices at work (>6 hours/day) and the use of optical correction at work significantly increased the odds of CVS. There is an association between poor tear stability and CVS. Further research is needed on the influence of wearing optical correction on CVS. The use of a validated questionnaire in health surveillance of digital workers is strongly recommended.https://peerj.com/articles/14937.pdfComputer vision syndromeDigital devicesOffice workersPrevalenceValidated questionnaireOphthalmic test |
| spellingShingle | Natalia Cantó-Sancho Stefano Porru Stefano Casati Elena Ronda Mar Seguí-Crespo Angela Carta Prevalence and risk factors of computer vision syndrome—assessed in office workers by a validated questionnaire PeerJ Computer vision syndrome Digital devices Office workers Prevalence Validated questionnaire Ophthalmic test |
| title | Prevalence and risk factors of computer vision syndrome—assessed in office workers by a validated questionnaire |
| title_full | Prevalence and risk factors of computer vision syndrome—assessed in office workers by a validated questionnaire |
| title_fullStr | Prevalence and risk factors of computer vision syndrome—assessed in office workers by a validated questionnaire |
| title_full_unstemmed | Prevalence and risk factors of computer vision syndrome—assessed in office workers by a validated questionnaire |
| title_short | Prevalence and risk factors of computer vision syndrome—assessed in office workers by a validated questionnaire |
| title_sort | prevalence and risk factors of computer vision syndrome assessed in office workers by a validated questionnaire |
| topic | Computer vision syndrome Digital devices Office workers Prevalence Validated questionnaire Ophthalmic test |
| url | https://peerj.com/articles/14937.pdf |
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