Omega-3 fatty acids supplements for dry eye - Are they effective or ineffective?

Purpose: To evaluate effectiveness of omega?3 fatty acid supplements in relieving dry eye symptoms and signs in symptomatic visual display terminal users (VDT). Methods: A randomized controlled study was done; eyes of 470 VDT users were randomized to receive four capsules twice daily for 6 months (O3FAgroup), each containing 180 mg of eicosapentaenoic acid and 120 mg docosahexaenoic acid. The O3FA group was compared with another group (n = 480) who received four capsules of a placebo (olive oil) twice daily. Patients were evaluated at baseline, 1, 3, and 6 months, respectively. The primary outcome was improvement in omega?3 index (a measure of EPA and DHA ratio in RBC membrane). Secondary outcomes were improvement dry eye symptoms, Nelson grade on conjunctival impression cytology, Schirmer test values, tear film breakup time (TBUT), and tear film osmolarity. Means of groups (pre?treatment, 1, 3, and 6?months) were compared with repeated measure analysis of variance. Results: At baseline, 81% patients had low omega?3 index. In the O3FA group, a significant increase in omega?3 index, improvement in symptoms, reduction in tear film osmolarity, and increase in Schirmer, TBUT, and goblet cell density was observed. These changes were not significant in the placebo group. Improvement in test parameters was significantly (P < 0.001) better in patients with low omega3 index (<4%) subgroup. Conclusion: Dietary omega?3 fatty acids are effective for dry eye in VDT users; omega?3 index appears to be the predictor to identify potential dry eye patients who are likely to benefit from oral omega?3 dietary intervention

Evaluation of Prevalence and Associated Factors of Dry Eye Syndrome among Medical Students Exposed to Visual Display Terminal in Health Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia

@#Introduction: Dry eye syndrome (DES) has become a public health concern, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Medical students are at risk due to an increase in visual display terminal (VDT) exposure given the transition to full-time online lectures. The presence of reduced blink rate and tear film instability in VDT users causes an increase in tear evaporation leading to symptoms of DES. This study helps us to learn about the associated factors of VDT use and DES among the young generation. This study aims to determine the prevalence and associated factors of DES among medical students exposed to VDT at the health campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 140 undergraduate medical students aged 22 to 29 years old who were VDT users. Factors analysed are age, gender, race and duration of VDT usage. Data collection included both subjective assessment (OSDI questionnaire) and objective assessment (TBUT and Schirmer’s test). Statistical analysis was conducted using Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS Inc Version 24). Results were analysed using descriptive analysis and multivariate logistic regression. Results: Most of the medical student cohort was female and Malay. Most of the students use VDT for less than 8 hours. A high incidence of DES was noted among medical students (92.1%). None of the factors showed significant association with positive findings DES by subjective and objective assessment and duration of VDT usage. Conclusion: DES is common among VDT users. This study showed a high prevalence of DES among medical students in USM. The factors analysed did not show a significant association between DES and duration of VDT usage. This study may help to recognize the problem and will raise awareness of their daily practice and implement preventive measures to avoid VDT-related DES.

Assessment of Computer Vision Syndrome in Software Professionals

Background: According to National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, computer vision syndrome affects 90% people who spend more than 3 hours a day on the computer. It is a group of eye and vision related problems. It is a temporary condition resulting from focusing the eyes on a computer display for prolonged, uninterrupted period of time. Also different reactions of the eye and the brain to the characters on the screen cause strain. Hence, this study is planned to assess computer vision syndrome in software professionals. Objectives: To assess Computer Vision Syndrome by history and clinical examination. Material and Methods: An assessment survey was conducted in a convenient software company. A total number of 60 people in age group 28-40 years having minimum exposure of three years to computer everyday were recruited in the study. A questionnaire was developed to collect data about perceived symptoms on computer vision syndrome. Results: It was observed that 80% of subjects suffer from backache, wrist and shoulder pain. 72% subjects complained of eyestrain and 70% complained of dry and irritated eyes. 62% subjects complained of headache. More than 50% subjects gave history of watering and redness of eyes. Conclusion: Study shows that more than 50% subjects suffer from some or the other symptom of computer vision syndrome. Early detection and prevention of computer vision syndrome is necessary to prevent future complications and better health of software professionals.

Influence of occupational hazards on occupational stress of employees in a power grid enterprise / 中国职业医学

OBJECTIVE: To explore the influencing factors of occupational stress from occupational hazards in employees of a power grid enterprise. METHODS: A total of 972 employees from 3 substations and 1 power dispatch center of a power grid enterprise were selected as research subjects by the cluster sampling method. The Chinese version of the Job Content Questionnaire was used to evaluate the occupational stress using the job demand control(JDC) model. The influence of occupational hazards on occupational stress was analyzed. RESULTS: The median, the 25 th and 75 th percentile scores [M(P_(25), P_(75))] of the 972 research subjects on job demand, job control, and social support dimensions of JDC model occupational stress were 14(12, 15), 25(23, 26), 24(23, 24), respectively. The M(P_(25), P_(75)) of the demand/control(D/C) ratio was 0.99(0.89, 1.13). The incidence of occupational stress was 48.4%(470/972) by the JDC model. The job demand dimension scores, D/C ratios, and incidence of occupational stress by JDC model were higher in employees exposed to electromagnetic radiation, high temperature, high altitude, and visual display terminal(VDT) than in those employees not exposed to the above factors(all P<0.05). The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the risk of occupational stress increased in those employees exposed to high temperature, high altitude and VDT(all P<0.05) after excluding the influence of confounding factors such as age, length of service, monthly income and exercise. The odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals were 1.91(1.43-2.54) and 1.67(1.26-2.21), respectively. CONCLUSION: The level of occupational stress among employees in power grid enterprise is relatively high by JDC model. High-temperature, high-altitude and VDT operation are the main risk factors of occupational stress by JDC model.

Clinical study on visual display terminal syndrome with local treatment near the eyes in combination with systemic comprehensive treatment / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

@#AIM: To research the clinical effects of visual display terminal(VDT)syndrome after local treatment near the eyes in combination with systemic comprehensive treatment.<p>METHODS: Totally 62 patients(124 eyes)with VDT syndrome were randomly divided into a trial group and a control group, 31 cases(62 eyes)in each group. In the control group, artificial tears as eye drops were given. In addition to the above local treatment with artificial tears, the trial group was also treated with the auricular acupressure and tuina at the acupoints near orbits and the whole body. A health education was carried out in both of the two groups. The course of the treatment of the two groups was 2wk. The symptomatic scores, and the amplitude of accommodation, facility of accommodation, accommodative response, near point of convergence and the ratio of accommodative convergence to accommodation(AC/A)based on refractive error correction of all the patients were detected before and after the treatment. The parameters gained before and after the treatment were compared for evaluating efficacy. <p>RESULTS: After treatment, the symptomatic scores and facility of accommodation of the two groups were significantly improved compared with those before treatment(<i>P</i><0.05). Amplitude of accommodation and near point of convergence in the trial group were significantly improved after treatment(<i>P</i><0.05). <p>CONCLUSION: Local treatment near the eyes in combination with systemic comprehensive treatment can effectively improve the accommodative and convergent functions of patients with VDT syndrome, and relieve their symptoms of asthenopia and fatigue.

Prevalence and risk factors of dry eye disease in North India: Ocular surface disease index-based cross-sectional hospital study

Purpose: This study aims to study the prevalence of DED and analyze risk factors in North Indian population. Methods: This was a cross-section hospital-based, observational study. Cases enrolled over 2 years (systematic random sampling) were administered ocular surface disease index questionnaire to evaluate the prevalence and risk factors of DED. Schirmer's test and tear break-up time were performed only in the subset of patients giving consent. Categorical data were assessed with Chi-square/Fisher's Exact test, and odds ratio was analyzed using bivariate and multivariate logistic regression. P < 0.05 was statistically significant. Results: A total of 15,625 patients were screened. The prevalence of DED was 32% (5000/15625); 9.9% (496/5000) had mild DED; 61.2% (3060/5000) had moderate DED; and 28.9% (1444/5000) had severe DED. Age group of 21� years, male sex, urban region, and desk job were associated with increased risk of DED. Hours of visual display terminal (VDT) usage significantly correlated with DED (P < 0.001), and 89.98% of patients with 4 h or more of VDT use had severe dry eye. Cigarette smoking and contact lens usage had increased odds of developing severe DED (P < 0.001). Objective tests were undertaken in 552 patients; of these, 81.3% (449/552) had severe DED. Conclusions: The prevalence of DED in North India is 32%, with the age group of 21� years affected most commonly. VDT use, smoking, and contact lens use were associated with increased odds of developing DED.

Analysis on the quality of life and its influencing factors of visual display terminal operators in Internet enterprises / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

Objective@#To investigate the quality of life of the visual display terminal (VDT) operators in Hangzhou Internet enterprises and to analyze its influencing factors. @*Methods@#Through cluster sampling,, 944 employees were investigated by demographic and general health questions and the MOS 36-Item Short Form Health Survey Questionnaire from October to November in 2016 and carried out statistical analysis. @*Results@#VDT operators’ physical functioning, role-physical, bodily pain, general health, vitality, social functioning, role-emotional, mental health, physical component summary and mental component summary scores were (86.3±17.0) , (82.5±30.3) , (80.6±16.1) , (56.8±18.6) , (53.7±15.6) , (78.5±17.8) , (81.2±31.9) , (48.8±19.3) , (51.1±8.9) , (43.8±9.1) . Except physical functioning, role-physical and physical component summary scores, the scores of other scales and mental component summary were lower than the norm (P<0.05) . Multivariable logistic regression showed that vegetable intake, sleeping and physical exercise had an impact on the physical component summary score. The influential factors of mental component summary score included marital status, education, neck pain and health concerns. @*Conclusion@#We should pay attention to the quality of life of VDT operators in Internet enterprises, especially their mental health.

Efficacy on visual display terminal syndrome treated withtherapy ofmedicine / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the efficacy and explore the effect mechanism on visual display terminal syndrome treated withtherapy ofmedicine.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty-five patients of visual fatigue induced by the visual display terminal operation were treated withtrigeminy therapy ofmedicine, e.g. massage manipulation, acupuncture and cupping; acting on the specific stimulating areas inmedicine, relevant with orbit, temple, forehead, ear and Baihui (GV 20). Each treatment lasted 40 min, once every two or three days. Totally, 10 to 14 treatments were required. The scores of visual symptoms and the ocular hemodynamics before and after treatment were observed, and clinical effect were evaluated in the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After treatment, the scores of visual symptoms were reduced apparently as compared with those before treatment (all<0.05). The total effective rate was 84.6% (55/65). The peak systolic velocity (PSV), the end diastolic velocity (EDV) in anterior ciliary artery (ACA) and the central retinal artery (CRA) were improved obviously, indicating the significant differences before and after treatment (all<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Thetherapy ofmedicine alleviates the visual symptoms in patients of visual fatigue and improves visual quality. The effects are related to the improvement of ocular microcirculation.</p>

A random digit dialing investigation on the association between different visual display terminal use and physical symptoms among adults / 预防医学

Objective To explore the association between different visual display terminal use and physical symptoms among adults.Methods Hangzhou,Jiaxing,Huzhou,Jinhua and Quzhou City were selected,where residents aged 18 years old and above were investigated using Mitofsky-Waksberg two-stage sampling.Information of demography,different visual display terminal use,eye and musculoskeletal symptoms,eye disease and eye relax were collected.Backward stepwise logistic regression was used to explore the association between different visual display terminal use and the symptoms (P value for addition ＜ 0.05,P value for removal ＞ 0.1).Results Totally 350 adults responded to the investigation,with a response rate of 48.54％.Finally,333 respondents were included in the analysis,among which 120 reported eye symptoms (36.04％) and 71reported musculoskeletal symptoms (21.32％).More time of computer use at work(0.5-4 h:OR=2.006,95％ CI:1.021-3.943;4-6 h:OR=3.578,95％ CI:1.751-7.315;＞6 h:OR=4.874,95％ CI:1.897-12.521) and eye disease (OR =4.361,95％ CI:2.465-7.714) were significandy associated with higher odds ratios in eye symptoms.Similar pattern was seen for the association on time of computer use at work with musculoskeletal symptoms (0.5-4 h:OR =3.815,95 ％ CI:1.809-8.045;4-6 h:OR =4.974,95 ％ CI:2.281-10.845;＞ 6 h:OR =5.934,95％ CI:2.347-15.005).More time of watching TV on television (＞ 2 h:OR =2.051,95％CI:1.068-3.939) and women (OR =1.884,95％ CI:1.052-3.372) were also observed to be statistically associated with musculoskeletal symptoms.However,no statistical association was observed between the two symptoms and entertainment purpose use of computer/cell phone/pad/kindle (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion Computer use at work was significantly associated with eye symptoms,especially for those having eye diseases.It was also statistically associated with musculoskeletal symptoms,especially for women.

Clinical observation of vitamin B12 eye drops for vision fatigue caused by visual display terminals / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM: To investigate the clinical effect of vitamin B12 eye drops for vision fatigue caused by visual display terminals (VDT). METHODS: Totally 50 patients (100 eyes) with vision fatigue caused by VDT were averagely divided into two groups. The control group were treated with normal saline,the treatment group were treated with vitamin B12 eye drops, 3 times per day, one drop each time, continuous for 60d. Accommodative parameters and Schirmer Ⅰtest were measured and analyzed before and after treatment. RESULTS: After treatment, the results of Schirmer Ⅰtest, accommodative amplitude and accommodative facility of the treatment group were higher than those of the control group ( all P CONCLUSION: Vitamin B12 eye drops can lessen symptoms of dry eye, improve accommodative function and treat vision fatigue caused by VDT.

Influences of Computer Works on Blink Rate and Ocular Dryness in Adolescents

PURPOSE: To evaluate the change in blink rate in adolescents according to the type and duration of computer tasks and to analyze the risk of ocular dryness using an ocular protection index. METHODS: Fifteen male high school students played computer games and viewed Internet lectures for 20 minutes each. Blink rate was measured by USB camera, and ocular protection index (OPI, the ratio of BUT to inter-blink interval) was calculated for each subject during the two tasks. In addition, 7 of the 15 subjects played computer games again for 40 minutes on another day, and the change in blink rate according to the duration of computer games was observed. RESULTS: The average blink rate was 5.44+/-3.29 per minute (median 5, range 2-12.75) while playing computer games and 20.63+/-11.21 per minute (median 18.25, range 4.93-42.2) while viewing Internet lectures, and this difference was statistically significant (p=0.001). The percentage of subjects with OPI values less than 1 was 53% for computer games and 13% for Internet lectures (p=0.025). While playing computer games for 40 minutes, the mean of total blinks during ten-minute intervals decreased over time: 59.43 times (median 57) during the first 10 minutes, 33.86 times (median 41) during the last 10 minutes. CONCLUSIONS: The blink rate in adolescents was significantly lower and the risk of ocular dryness was higher while playing computer games compared with that of viewing internet lectures. As playing time increased, the blink rate decreased and risk of ocular dryness increased.

Association between Musculoskeletal Subjective Symptoms and the MMPI (Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory) Profile of Female VDT Operators / 대한산업의학회지

A study was conducted to assess the association between musculoskeletal subjective symptoms and the MMPI(Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory) profile. The study subjects were 539 female operators of telecommunication company in Seoul, and were interviewed with subjective symptom questionnaire and MMPI. Results were as follows 1. 77.5% of the study subjects complained subjective symptoms on the shoulder, 73.8% on the neck, 71.8% on the lower back, 67.5% on the arm, 67.2% on the hand, 39.8% on the elbow, respectively. According to NIOSH symptom criteria, 63% complained on the shoulder, 57.4%, 54.6% on the lower back, 53.2% on the hand, 45.9% on the arm, 29.8% on the elbow, respectively. 2. Among the MMPI clinical scales, Hs(Hypochondriasis), Hy(Hystria) and Dep (Depression) scales showed significant differences according to the numbers of subjective symptom(NIOSH criteria), VAS(Visual Analogue Scale), and the experience of sick leave (each by ANOVA, p<0.05). 3. The association between the numbers of subjective symptom site for NIOSH symptom criteria, the personal history of sick leave and the MMPI profile that has more than 70 points in anything of Hs, Dep and Hy scales was showed significantly (each by x(2)-test, p<0.05).

Pressure Threshold, Grip and Pinch Strength in Female Telephone Operators

The purpose of this study was to estimate mean pressure thresholds over several skeletal muscles, grip and pinch strengths in female telephone operators. Pressure thresholds on muscles of neck and shoulder were measured with a pressure algometer, and grip and pinch strength were measured with a Jamar dynamometer and a Jamar pinch gauge in 904 female telephone operators. The pressure threshold was highest in the supraspinatus and lowest in the cervical paraspinals. There was no statistically significant difference between right and left corresponding muscles. The mean grip strength was 22.29 kg in the right hand, 21.97 kg in the left hand. The mean tip pinch strength was 0.56 kg in the right, 0.51 kg in the left. The mean lateral pinch strength was 2.21 kg in the right, 2.12 kg in the left. The mean palmar pinch strength was 1.82 kg in the right, 1.66 kg in the left. There was no significant correlation between grip, pinch strength and age(p>0.05). There were positive correlations between height, weight and grip strength. There were positive correlations between exposure duration to visual display terminal and pinch strength.

Symptom Prevalence of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders and Related Factors among Bank Workers by Visual Dispaly Terminal Use / 대한산업의학회지

The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between the self-reported musculoskeletal symptoms and related factors among VDT operators in bank. The subjects were 950 women workers. The characteristics of subjects were 26.6 years of average age, 5.7 years of average VDT use duration and 6.5 hours of daily VDT use time. The results were as follows. The prevalence of self-reported musculoskeletal symptoms more than severe in Likert scale were 51.4%, 43.9% at the shoulder, 38.3%, 31.8% at the lower back, 38.0%, 31.3% at the neck, 31.2%, 25.2% at the upper back, 21.7%, 16.5% at the wrist and 13.6%, 8.8% at the fingers (while on duty, after home-coming). General characteristic variables affecting the musculoskeletal symptoms were married, number of child and daily house-working time. Work-related factors affecting the musculoskeletal symptoms were VDT working career, daily working time, daily VDF use time, VDF use time without rest, daily work-load and regular rest. As the result of the multiple logistic regression analysis, daily working time, daily VDT use time and VDT working career were significant variables accounting for the musculoskeletal symptoms.

Factors Affecting the Complaints of Subjective Symptoms in VDT Operators / 대한산업의학회지

In order to investigate symptoms prevalence related to visual display terminal (VDT) syndrome, and to evaluate the variables affecting the development of the VDT syndrome, a questionnaire survey was conducted on 119 (92 men and 27 women) VDT operators who had been engaged in one plant design company in Seoul. The results were as follows : The average age of questionnaire respondents was 30. The average years of service were 4.3 years, and the working hours per day with VDT for half of them were more than 4 hours with the average being about 4.7 hours. The majority of subjects (71 persons) were working at computer aided design (CAD) or computer programming tasks. Subjective symptoms of VDT syndrome were divided into 4 groups with musculoskeletal, eye, skin, and industrial fatigue according to their major affected organ. 4 high incidence of complaints of eye discomfort was observed. In the 3 subgroups of industrial fatigue symptom, the highest average group score was accounted for by 'dullness and sleepiness', followed by 'difficulty in concentration', 'bodily projection of fatigue' in the order of sequence, suggesting the heavier mental stress of VDT work rather than physical burden. Relationship among these 4 groups of symptoms showed statistically significant correlations one another. This result suggests that VDT syndrome is a multi-organ disease composed of these 4 symptom groups which were commonly caused by the use of VDT. Multiple regression analysis were used to examine the relationship between risk factors and these symptom groups of VDT syndrome. As the result of analysis, the most important risk factor for VDT syndrome was the average daily VDT working hours. The longer was VDT working hours, the higher was symptom prevalence of VDT syndrome. In addition, daily total working hours including VDT working hours and shift of work also affected the health of VDT users. In order to protect workers from VDT syndrome, it is urgently required to implement standard management recommendations including restriction of VDT working hours and allowance of more sufficient resting time for VDT workers.

A Study on the Relationship between Subjective symptoms and Psychological Symptoms on some VDT workers / 예방의학회지

The study subjects in this study are 295 workers who work on one electronics industry, and they were composed of 93 VDT and 202 non-VDT workers. This study was carried out to obtain the prevalence of subjective symptoms and to compare psychological symptom scores from SCL-90-R between VDT and non-VDT work groups. And to verify the relationship between VDT work related symptoms and psychological symptoms, the author compared scL-90-R T scores between symptom complaining and non-complaining groups. The results are summarized as follows: 1. Throughout the prevalence study of VDT work related symptoms according to VDT work state, the author could select the final 10 symptoms by sex; 'eye fatigue', 'foggy vision', 'neck discomfort or pain'. 'shoulder discomfort and pain', 'light headedness', 'dizziness', 'aene`, 'itching sensation on face', 'difficulty in concentration', 'memory disturbance' in males, and 'blurred vision`, 'foggy vision', 'neck discomfort or pain', 'shoulder discomfort and pain`, 'abdominal distention','indigestion', 'acne', 'pricking sensation on face', 'difficulty in concentration', 'memory disturbance` in females. 2. Throughout comparison of psychological symptom scores from SCL-90-R between VDT and non-VDT workers' except `interpersonal sensitivity` in female, Mean T score were higher in VDT workers, but not significantly different between the two groups. These results indicate that the relation between VDT work status and psychological symptoms are not strongly correlated. 3. Because of the nonspecific characteristics of VDT work related symptoms, from the 40 subjective symptoms, the author selected the final 10 symptoms by sex, especially correlated to VDT, and divided the study subjects into symptom complaining and non-complaining groups. The mean SCL-90-R T score between the two groups were compared. Except for the opthalmologic symptoms in females, the scores were significantly different between the two groups in all symptoms. And this indicates that the VDT work related symptoms strongly correlated with the present individual psychological conditions. 4. Due to understand that which of the 9 psychological symptom dimensions are strongly correlated with the subjective symptoms, the author excuted multiple logistic regression analysis, and the result were as follows; 'depression' and 'somatization', in male, and 'obsessive-compulsive' and 'somatization' in female.

A case of skin problems in a worker using a visual display terminal / 대한피부과학회지

We report a case of a skin problem induced by a visual display t rminal in a 24-year-old female. The patient had erythematcn.is rashes, crusts on both zygomatic areas and upper eyelids with itching, burning and pain sensations after she had been exposed to her visual display terminal. After the cassation of exposure, her skin lesions were markedly improved. A proioction test with her own visual display terminal was positive.

Influence of VDT Work on Accommodative Function

In order to observe the influence of visual display terminal (VDT) work on accommodative function, we measured accommodative power, accommodative constriction time and accommodative response / accommodative stimulus ratio (Ar / As) by infrared optometer on 15 normal subjects who were not exposed to VDT work before. VDT task was programed to search a specified Korean alphabet letter among randomized letters for 90 minutes. After VDT task, accommodative constriction time was prolonged, near point extended and accommodative power decreased in all subjects (p<0.05, by paired t-test). After resting for 30 minutes, constriction time, near point and accommodative power had a tendency to return to the previous normal value. Accommodative response / accommodative stimulus ratio (Ar / As) was decreased according to the duration of VDT work but no statistical difference was found between before and after VDT work. From this study, it is suggested that the function of accommodation seems to be affected by VDT work.