TY - JOUR
T1 - High frequency of digital eye strain and dry eye disease in teleworkers during the coronavirus disease (2019) pandemic
AU - Salinas-Toro, Daniela
AU - Cartes, Cristian
AU - Segovia, Christian
AU - Alonso, Maria Jesus
AU - Soberon, Begoña
AU - Sepulveda, Maritza
AU - Zapata, Claudia
AU - Yañez, Patricio
AU - Traipe, Leonidas
AU - Goya, Claudia
AU - Flores, Patricia
AU - Lopez, Daniela
AU - Lopez, Remigio
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 Central Institute for Labour Protection–National Research Institute (CIOP-PIB).
PY - 2022
Y1 - 2022
N2 - Objectives. This study aimed to evaluate visual display terminal (VDT)-related digital eye strain (ES) and dry eye disease (DED) symptoms in subjects whose work was changed to teleworking (TW) during the coronavirus pandemic. Methods. A digital self-reported survey was conducted on subjects in TW, including demographics, medical history, VDT time and ES-related symptoms before and during the pandemic and DED (dry eye questionnaire 5 [DEQ-5] questionnaire). Results. A total of 1797 questionnaires were analyzed. Mean age was 40.5 (SD 11.1) years, and 69.9% were female. The mean number of TW weeks was 10.2 (SD 3.0). The total VDT total hours increased from 7.4 (SD 3.3) to 9.5 (SD 3.3) (p < 0.001). All ES symptoms presented a significant increase (p < 0.001). The mean DEQ-5 score was 8.3 (SD 4.9). The oldest group presented lower values, and women had a higher score (p < 0.001). Additionally, 28.6% of the subjects were classified with severe DED, and the variables associated with a logistic regression model were total VDT hours, female gender, refractive surgery, rosacea, depression, previous DED, keratoconus and blepharitis. Conclusions. The number of VDT hours seemed to be a relevant factor for increase in ES symptoms and a high prevalence of DED during the pandemic period.
AB - Objectives. This study aimed to evaluate visual display terminal (VDT)-related digital eye strain (ES) and dry eye disease (DED) symptoms in subjects whose work was changed to teleworking (TW) during the coronavirus pandemic. Methods. A digital self-reported survey was conducted on subjects in TW, including demographics, medical history, VDT time and ES-related symptoms before and during the pandemic and DED (dry eye questionnaire 5 [DEQ-5] questionnaire). Results. A total of 1797 questionnaires were analyzed. Mean age was 40.5 (SD 11.1) years, and 69.9% were female. The mean number of TW weeks was 10.2 (SD 3.0). The total VDT total hours increased from 7.4 (SD 3.3) to 9.5 (SD 3.3) (p < 0.001). All ES symptoms presented a significant increase (p < 0.001). The mean DEQ-5 score was 8.3 (SD 4.9). The oldest group presented lower values, and women had a higher score (p < 0.001). Additionally, 28.6% of the subjects were classified with severe DED, and the variables associated with a logistic regression model were total VDT hours, female gender, refractive surgery, rosacea, depression, previous DED, keratoconus and blepharitis. Conclusions. The number of VDT hours seemed to be a relevant factor for increase in ES symptoms and a high prevalence of DED during the pandemic period.
KW - COVID-19
KW - digital eye strain
KW - dry eye disease
KW - teleworking
KW - visual display terminal
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/85109964614
U2 - 10.1080/10803548.2021.1936912
DO - 10.1080/10803548.2021.1936912
M3 - Article
C2 - 34082647
AN - SCOPUS:85109964614
SN - 1080-3548
VL - 28
SP - 1787
EP - 1792
JO - International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics
JF - International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics
IS - 3
ER -
