Abstract

GARCIA ALVAREZ, Patricia Elena  and  GARCIA LOZADA, Diana. FACTORS ASSOCIATED TO THE COMPUTER VISION SYNDROME DUE TO THE USE OF COMPUTERS. Investig. andina [online]. 2010, vol.12, n.20, pp.42-52. ISSN 0124-8146.

Introduction: the objective of the study was to establish factors associated with the computer vision syndrome. Method: analysis of prevalence of 148 employees of a pharmaceutical company in Bogota, who were subject to an optometric examination and were surveyed on the general characteristics of their jobs and their work habits related to computer use. Statistical analysis was done using multivariate logistic regression. Results: the prevalence of visual symptoms was 51.4% (CI95% 43.4% -59.4%), ie, 76 of the 148 subjects had symptoms. Age (p=0.28) and sex (p=0.55) were not associated with the presence of symptoms. The logistic regression analysis showed a statistically significant association between the frequency of rest periods and the presence of the computer vision syndrome due to the use of computers, (OR 3.87, 95%CI 1.22-12.31, p=0.02) and inadequate lighting in the job and the presence of the syndrome (OR 2.46, 95%CI 1.01-6.0, p=0.046). Conclusions: the findings of the population studied revealed that not performing visual breaks at a frequency of every 20 minutes during the time working on the computer and inadequate lighting of the workplace are conditions associated to the occurrence of the computer vision syndrome.

Keywords : asthenopia; optometry; computer terminals; vision disorders; occupational health; prevalence.

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