Computer-related visual symptoms in office workers Joan K Portello 1 , Mark Rosenfield 1 , Yuliya Bababekova 1 , Jorge M Estrada 2 and Alejandro Leon 2 1 SUNY College of Optometry, New York, USA, and 2 Fundacio ´ n Universitaria del A ´ rea Andina Pereira, Pereira, Colombia Citation information: Portello JK, Rosenfield M, Bababekova Y, Estrada JM & Leon A. Computer-related visual symptoms in office workers. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt 2012. doi: 10.1111/j.1475-1313.2012.00925.x Keywords: computer vision syndrome, dry eye, ethnicity, gender, nearwork, reading Correspondence: Mark Rosenfield E-mail address: mrosenfield@sunyopt.edu Received: 19 January 2012; Accepted: 31 May 2012 Abstract Purpose: Many individuals report visual symptoms during office work and spe- cifically computer use. This study determined the prevalence of symptoms in a population of office workers, and examined the association between these symptoms and both dry eye disease and other demographic factors. Method: A written questionnaire was used to quantify the prevalence of symp- toms in 520 New York City office workers, and to determine the effect of risk factors including gender, ethnicity, age, smoking, type of refractive correction and hours spent doing computer work. The questionnaire also examined the prevalence of ocular surface disease. Results: A significant positive correlation was observed between the symptom score and the number of hours spent working on a computer in a typical day. The most prevalent symptom was tired eyes, which was reported by approxi- mately 40% of subjects as occurring ‘at least half the time’. 32% and 31% of subjects reported symptoms of dry eye and eye discomfort, respectively. Symp- toms varied significantly with gender (being greater in females), ethnicity (being greater in Hispanics) and the use of rewetting drops. A significant posi- tive correlation was observed between computer-related visual symptoms and the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI), a measure of dry eye. Conclusions: Visual symptoms associated with computer use occur frequently in the general population producing discomfort for extended periods of time. They are strongly associated with ocular surface disease. Therapeutic regimens need to be developed for this widespread condition. In 2003, it was estimated that 55% of jobs involved computer use (http://www.bls.gov/news.release/ciuaw.nr0. htm). It seems likely that this number has now increased, and when combined with non-vocational computer use (including the use of desktop and laptop computers, tab- lets and other hand-held devices such as smartphones) for activities such as e-mail and text messaging, internet access and entertainment, one might suggest that the viewing of personal electronic screens is now almost universal. 1 Thomson 2 presented the findings of nine investigations which estimated the prevalence of visual symptoms in computer users. The studies were published between 1974 and 1993, and the prevalence ranged from 25% to 93% of users (mean prevalence = 56%). Symptoms reported included eyestrain, headaches, ocular discomfort, dry eye, diplopia and blurred vision either at near or when looking into the distance after prolonged computer use. Given the improvement in the quality of electronic monitors, one might conjecture that the prevalence of computer-related visual symptoms should have declined over time. However, more recent investigations have also noted a very wide range of prevalence rates ranging from 19.6% 3 to 72%. 4 In each of these latter studies, preva- lence rates refer specifically to the symptom of eyestrain or asthenopia. However, there is limited published data regarding factors which might be associated with these visual symptoms in computer users. For example, while the prevalence does seem to be higher in females, 4–8 as well as individuals who spend more than 4–5 h daily work- ing on computers. 9,10 the role of other factors such as Ophthalmic & Physiological Optics ISSN 0275-5408 Ophthalmic & Physiological Optics ª 2012 The College of Optometrists 1