Determination of the Prevalence and Risk Factors Contributing to the Symptoms of Asthenopia in Professionals

Abstract

Nowadays computer use in every professional like bankers, secretaries, engineers, accountants, graphic artists, architects, academicians is increasing. Computer technology has saved user’s time and helped to enhance excellence in professional field but at the same time prolonged use of electronic devices has raised risk of computer vision syndrome (CVS). Hence current study was conducted to explore prevalence of ocular symptoms, generally known as asthenopia, as well as threatening factors which aggravate such deleterious pathology. Aim: To determine the prevalence and risk factors contributing to the symptoms of asthenopia in professionals. Objectives: 1. To identify prevalence of Asthenopia in professionals. 2. To evaluate the risk-factors and their impact on Asthenopia among professionals Settings and Design: This was community-based prospective cross-sectional study of 170 subjects who work different period of time on computer in different professions in Gujarat. Materials and Methods: One hundred eighty two professionals working in different offices, banks and institutes were selected randomly in Gujarat, India. 7 were non responders, 5 were excluded due to due to eye disorder like cataract, glaucoma, retinal haemorrhage complaints. Remaining subjects (n = 170) were asked to be filled in the questionnaire relating to the occupation, area of work, duration of use electronics devices, type of screen use, viewing distance at electronics screen, viewing direction , use of antiglare filter, habits of taking breaks, use of vision glasses, room illumination, physical exercises, eye exercises, feel after a day in the office, quantity of sleep, and what kind of ocular symptoms are felt like burning sensation, watery eyes, dry eyes, redness around eyes, itchy eyes, tired or heavy eyes, sore eyes, headache, increased sensitivity to light, blurred vision, double vision, difficulty focusing when looking from paper to monitor screen, feel after image when looking from monitor screen. Statistical Analysis: Co-relation analysis was performed by using chi-square test and simple proportions test. Results: The most visual complaints which were found in the descending order were tired or heavy eyes, itching, watering, burning sensation and headache, increased sensitivity, redness around eyes, blurred vision, dry eyes, after image, difficulty focusing paper to monitor, sore eyes and lastly double vision. Occurrence of asthenopia was found to be significantly corelated with age, duration of use of electronic devices daily, viewing distance, viewing angle, computer screen level with respect to eye, habits of taking frequent breaks, use of antiglare screen, enough sleep, stress level, eye exercises, physical exercises, room illumination and blink rate. While no co-relation was found with gender, presence of refractive error and type of electronic screen used. Conclusion: Our study suggested that maintaining a proper distance from the electronic screen and maintaining a downward gaze during the computer work would help reduce the eyestrain. Our study also recommended that habits of taking breaks, use of antiglare screens and eye exercises reduce the risk of asthenopia.